The Nation Newspaper

Tag: gani adams

  • Fasehun’s death, great loss to Yoruba race – Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief (Dr) Gani Adams, has described the death of Dr Fredrick Fasehun as a great loss to the Yoruba race.

    Adams also said the death was a great loss to Nigeria and the world at large, pointing out that Faseun left behind a worthy legacy.

    Fasehun died in Lagos in the early hours of Saturday. He was 83 years old.

    Adams in a condolence letter copied  to commiserate with the family of the founding father of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), pointed out that he received the news of the death with shock and disbelief.

    “It was with shock that I received the sad news of the passing of our Papa and founding father of OPC which occurred today, December 1, 2018.

    “This, no doubt, is a moment of great grief for the entire family of OPC, Yoruba nation, Nigeria and the world at large.

    “But it is also clear that the deep sense of loss over the demise of our beloved leader is shared by many like me.

    “I hasten, therefore, to address this statement to commiserate with the immediate family over this painful bereavement,” Adams said.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo added that, the deceased in his life time made outstanding contributions to the progress of the nation in many capacities, and no doubt left behind a worthy legacy through his careers as a renowned medical doctors and politician among other achievements.

    He emphasized that the late Fasehun was one of the good doctors trained in China as an acupuncturist.

    Read Also: Gani Adams insists on restructuring

    “A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 90s, I see him as a father, and I passed through him for a period of five years.

    “Baba deserves all respect because he acquitted himself so diligently, and will also be remembered as a distinguished leader in all ramifications, and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight forward and complete gentleman,” he said.

    Adams pointed that the deceased deserved all the tributes having had the privilege of close association with him as a leader, father and confidant for many years, adding that he can affirm his democrat lifestyle nature.

    “He demonstrated wisdom, honesty and good leadership, established friendship, harmony and accommodation across board. He was as a community leader and a prominent patriot, which was no doubt a testimony to be reference to.

    “Baba exhibited very good leadership qualities, wisdom and wealth of experience which indeed he put to use in the discharge of his responsibility, as well as upholding the institution’s tradition of excellence, while alive,” said Adams.

    According to him, Fasehun will also be remembered for his invaluable contributions to building a better society.

    “I extend on behalf of my family, the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) our sincere condolences on the transition of our beloved leader and father and pray that the Almighty God grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    “Until his death, Fasehun was the Founding father and Spiritual Leader of the Oodua People’s Congress.

    “This was based on the peace resolutions perfected by the former Governor of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel on March 7th, 2005, which led to my emergence as the National Coordinator of the OPC,” Adams added.

    NAN

  • Gani Adams insists on restructuring

    •Daniel leads Atiku support groups to visit Yoruba war generalissimo

    Former Ogun State Governor and Director-General of Atiku Campaign Organisation Gbenga Daniel yesterday led over 20 members of the Atiku campaign groups to visit the the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land, Gani Adams.

    Daniels said his visit was to pay a courtesy visit to Adams as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and to seek support for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

    Adams thanked Daniel for the visit, describing him as one of the prominent sons of Yoruba that has the interest of Yoruba at heart.

    He added that he will only support a presidential candidate that has passion and believes in the restructuring of Nigeria.

    The Aare noted that the only solution to Nigeria’s present problems is the restructuring, saying Nigeria should be restructured along the six geo-olitical zones based on federating units.

    Read also: Gani Adams: Council of Yoruba Obas in Diaspora is illegal

    “This is how it was written in the 1963 constitution; this will give room for the economy and developmental rivalries among the six zones based on federating units. Any political party that believes in this will have our support, he said.

    Some of the dignitaries in the entourage include Araba Tola Adeniyi, Akogun Tunde Odanye, Chief Kole Omololu, Mr. Hakeem Gbajabiamila, Mr. Seyi Wellington, Prof Kila of University of Cambridge, among others.

     

  • 2019: We have no preferred candidates — OPC

    The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) says it has no preferred candidates among those jostling for political offices in the 2019 general elections.

    The group however said it would support candidates that truly believed in its ideal of restructuring.

    Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, who reaffirmed the OPC’s belief in restructuring said that Nigeria could only get it right when all the federating states developed at their own pace.

    Oguntimehim in a statement issued in Lagos, reiterated the need for stakeholders in the country to raise issues that have direct impact on the nation’s development as the 2019 presidential polls gets closer.

    He said that Nigerians deserved the right to vote for political parties or candidates with something reasonable to offer the nation.

    “Nigeria can only get it right with restructuring.

    Read Also: OPC member gets bail

    “The coming election will definitely come with various challenges and opportunities and some of the opportunities will be for us to align with those ready to bring to the table, a policy direction that can impact our lives positively.

    “ Not only that, it is our duty as a group to promote the ideals of restructuring,” he said.

    He dded that the beauty of restructuring was encompassing, stressing that the best could only come to Nigeria through restructuring.

    “We need to promote ideals that have human face and that is what restructuring is all about.

    “It is sad that we are still borrowing money to finance the budget, particularly, at a time when election is about three months away.

    “It is sad that majority of Nigerians are suffering with the abundant human and material resources that are abound in the country.

    “OPC has no preferred candidates among the various political parties that are jostling for political offices, especially, the position of the Nigerian president.

    “We are very much on top of the current situation in the political milieu. We are watching the political developments as they unfold in the country.

    “We believe in the struggle to liberate the Yoruba nation as it is being promoted consistently by our amiable leader, Aare Gani Adams, therefore, we will never compromise our values as a self determination group,” he said.

  • Gani Adams: Council of Yoruba Obas in Diaspora is illegal

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, yesterday described as illegal, the Council of Yoruba Obas in the Diaspora.

    He said the group was neither known to law, nor to the customs and traditions of the Yoruba race.

    In a letter to all Southwest governors he warned that if nothing is done urgently to caution and sanction its promoters, the “highly-revered” Yoruba traditional institution may go extinct soon.

    He said the governors as the number one citizens of their states, and “‘protector of our traditional institution’, any immediate or remote threat to our age-long monarchical system must be nipped in the bud through all legal means.”

    Explaining why the group should be stopped,  Adams said it was a taboo to replicate the role of an Oba or question his authority.

    “That is why he is referred to as ka-bi-o-osi  (Kabiyesi). In Yoruba land an Oba is not only a king, but a sacred king. As the custodian of history and culture, words of an Oba remain sacred and any attempt to desecrate age-long customs of the people must be crushed without any delay.”

    Read also: Kalu condoles with Gani Adams on dad’s death

    He noted that Obas must have royal blood, among others, and that this custom dates back to centuries “but the activities of ‘Council of Yoruba Obas in the Diaspora’, if not checked immediately, threaten this age-long tradition.

    “…members of this group, who reside mostly in Europe, North and South America, are standing logic on the head due to their inordinate ambition. In some countries in these continents, these characters now install themselves as Obas.”

    Adams emphasised that “the coronation of a Yoruba Oba in the Diaspora is alien to our culture and tradition. In fact, it is an absurdity.

    “An individual can be the leader/coordinator of a Yoruba group in a foreign land, but not to be crowned as an Oba….the promotion of our culture is legitimate but the usurpation of the powers of Yoruba monarchs by some shadowy groups or individuals abroad is sacrilegious.”

    He called on the governors to immediately intervene and stop this ‘cancerous spread’.

    “If anybody is parading himself as an Oba in Diaspora, please, call him to order.

    “Let me also explain further that the issue of Yoruba Oba in the Diaspora does not affect all our royal fathers in the Republic of Benin. They were being delineated by the Berlin Conference of 1884/85. They all have their roots in Yoruba land, including that of Oyotunji in North Carolina in America.”

     

     

  • Kalu condoles with Gani Adams on dad’s death

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu has commiserated with Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba and leader of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Aare Ganiyu Adams, on the death of his father, Pa Lamidi Adams.

    Kalu noted that regardless of age, the role of a father in a child’s life cannot be undermined.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, the former governor urged the OPC leader to take solace in the fact that his late father lived a remarkable life and left behind good virtues.

    He said: “I sympathise with my brother and friend, Otunba Ganiyu Adams, and his siblings on the demise of their father, Pa Lamidi Adams.

  • Guber poll: Gani Adams acknowledges strategic position of Osun

    The Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has acknowledged the strategic position of Osun State in  Yoruba affairs.

    He said yesterday in Osogbo,the state capital,that he is interested in the September 22 governorship election because Yoruba interest is involved.

    He spoke at the IleriOluwa Campaign Organization, when he paid a courtesy visit  to the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola.

    Adams said he admired  the virtuous characters of the incumbent governor, Mr. Rauf Areegbesola and of Oyetola.

    He promised  support for the APC candidate because of “Yoruba interest.”

    He warned that the Yoruba agenda must not be politicized under any guise and for whatever reason.

    Responding, Oyetola expressed gratitude to Adams for the visit.

    He corroborated the strategic position of Osun in Yorubaland, saying values for which Yoruba are known must not be allowed to die.

    He promised to use his office when he becomes the governor to promote culture and tradition of the race.

    Oyetola maintained that he would ensure that the progress recorded by the Rauf Aregbesola in many sectors of the economy  does not suffer  a set back,adding that he would  break new grounds that would be the pride of the Yoruba .

  • June 12: Buhari did the unthinkable – Gani Adams

    President Muhammadu Buhari did the unthinkable by honouring the martyr of democracy, the late MKO Abiola, with the most prestigious national honour (GCFR), the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Gani Adams, has said.

    Adams made the assertion at the 25th anniversary of June 12. 1993, Presidential Election organised by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that OPC organised the event in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council.

    The anniversary had the theme: “Nigerian Politics and Democratic Process: MKO Abiola and the June 12, 1993, Crisis and Beyond”.

    Adams, also OPC National Coordinator, said: “Where we least expected the truth about June 12 to come from, there is where it came.
    “ I salute you all for persevering in the last 25 years.
    “Whether the Federal Government’s decision is more political than legal, as argued by some people, for me, it is crystal clear that the journey to make June 12 our Democracy Day started years back.

    “I feel relieved to witness this day being recognised as our Democracy Day. Today, we have defeated the evil voices that killed the dream of the late MKO Abiola.

    “I will like to express my appreciation to President Buhari for taking the bold initiative of honouring the late Abiola and the late Gani Fewehinmi,’’ he said.

    Adams said that posterity would be kind to Buhari for putting Nigeria’s democratic history in the right perspective.

    According to him, Abiola, as the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, was committed to the cause of the masses and good governance.
    He expressed delight that the reward for Abiola‘s struggle had come.

    Adams, the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, said: “The way we clamoured and struggled to have this day as our Democracy Day, we also need to make the needed sacrifices, struggles and make a case for restructuring. We need to stand firm and raise our voices in support of restructuring.”

    In his remarks, Sen. Shehu Sani, the Chairman of the occasion, said that Buhari wrote his name in gold by honouring Abiola, but advised that the honour should not be politicised.

    “With the annulment of June 12, we (Nigerians) missed an opportunity for unity, progress and prosperity as a nation,” Sani said.

    He said that the greatest honour to Abiola would be upholding democracy ideals, good governance and justice, and ensuring end to poverty, killings and political vendetta.
    Dr Qasim Akinreti, Chairman of NUJ, Lagos Council, said: “Today we salute President Buhari for his courage to allow justice on June 12 to prevail. Hope has finally come for Nigerians. We welcome this.’’

    Akinret noted that many journalists suffered in the June 12 struggle, saying NUJ desired announcement of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election result.

    The guest speaker, Associate Prof. Derin Ologbenla of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, said that `monetisation’ of political process negatively affected Nigeria’s democracy.
    Ologbenla added that political manipulations through `godfatherism’ adversely affected the democracy.

    “We are subject to godfathers and money in our body politics. We have divisive instruments of ethnicity and religion.

    “Ethnicity is an ugly monster that must be killed if Nigeria’s democracy most grow and develop. We have not come together to bury this monster,’’ the don said.

    Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Coordinator, Women Arise Initiative, said that the best honour to Abiola would be organisation of free and fair elections as well as end to poverty and injustice.

    Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, a former Governor of Abia, said that he sent a bill to the state House of Assembly in 2000 to declare June 12 a public holiday because of his belief in it.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari on June 6 announced that June 12 would replace May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

    The president also announced posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election.
    He also announced award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger to Abiola’s running mate Babagana Kingibe, and the late social critic and human rights campaigner, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

    The beneficiaries received the awards on Tuesday in Abuja.

  • Kinsmen honour Gani Adams in Akure

    Prominent indigenes of Ondo State, including Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, will tomorrow honour the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, at a reception in Akure.

    Others to attend the event include the Leader of Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, National Chairman Social Democratic Party (SDP) Chief Olu Falae and ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, legal luminary Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Senator Iyiola Omisore and the Chairman, Council of Obas, Akadiri Momoh, are also expected.

    A statement by the Chairman and Secretary of Aare Grand Reception Planning Committee, Bakkita Bello and Yemi Akintomide, said the reception and thanksgiving ceremony were put together by friends, well-wishers and associates of Adams.

    This, according to the committee, is to give him a befitting reception.

    Adams is visiting his state for the first time after his installation by the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo.

    Bello, a former Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, said: “You will recall that the highly-revered monarch bestowed this rare honour on a globally-celebrated scion of the Yoruba race at an elaborate ceremony hosted in the ancient Oyo town, on January 13. The occasion was witnessed by a mammoth crowd.”

    He said the three-day reception /thanksgiving was organised by the government, Afenifere, traditional rulers, family, friends and associates, as an opportunity for indigenes to appreciate and celebrate the honour done to Aare Gani Adams as the 15th Generalissimo of Yoruba land.

    Bello said: “We all know, recognise and respect Aare Adams as a courageous advocate of cultural renaissance; a frontline defender of the interest of the Yoruba and other Nigerians at home and in the diaspora and a brave, indefatigable son of Arigidi- Akoko.

    “Our committee considers it not only appropriate, but also imperative to organise a grand reception-cum-thanksgiving to honour Adams for being an illustrious son and a worthy ambassador of the state and Yoruba race.

    “Today, there will be a Jumat service at Akure Central Mosque, Oba Adesida Road. Reception will come up at The Dome International Event Centre, Igbatoro Road, Akure, tomorrow and Special Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Arigidi-Oja, Arigidi Akoko on Sunday to round off the event.

  • Herdsmen: We will resist attempt to turn Yorubaland to killing field – Adams

    Herdsmen: We will resist attempt to turn Yorubaland to killing field – Adams

    ……Laments murder of SARS commander

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Dr. Gani Adams, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently mandate security agents to “arrest the blood-thirsty maniacs on the rampage in the country, masquerading as herdsmen, and bring them to justice, to avoid a total breakdown of law and order”.

    “The first fundamental right of a Nigerian is the right to life. It is when you are alive that you can enjoy other rights. Once this right is taken away from you through killings and murder, you cannot enjoy any other right. Nigerians demand Right to Life. More than a thousand Nigerians have been killed in the last one year. Is Nigeria at war? There is more to all these killings”, Aare Adams said, in a statement on his behalf by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi.

    The Yoruba Generalissimo, who described the killing of the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Saki Unit, Oyo State Police Command, by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday night as “one killing too many”, declared that the spate of insecurity in the country was worrisome.

    The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was macheted to death by suspected Fulani herdsmen during an operation in a forest on the Saki-Ogbooro Road in Oke-Ogun area of the state.

    To him, all right-thinking Nigerians must condemn activities of these killers “who are now bold enough to start killing security officers”.

    Aare Adams also vowed that Yorubaland would resist any conspiracy “aimed at killing our people at will”.

    “The diplomacy of the Yoruba on national issues, especially when it borders on security, should not be misconstrued for cowardice. It is part of our nature to accommodate people from other ethnic nationalities but now, our people cannot go to their farms again because of the fear of the unknown. The Federal Government must immediately check activities of these killers to avoid plunging the country into an avoidable war.

    “There is no war in Nigeria, there is no famine, no earthquake, but the number of IDPs in the country is more than what obtains in a country where war is going on. Murder of Nigerians, including pregnant women and children continues everyday. What is really going on?

    “Perception is everything. The Federal Government is not helping its own image with the belief by Nigerians that the presidency is always silent when the issue concerns Fulani herdsmen.

     

    Read Also: Adams holds thanksgiving at Ijo Orunmila

     

    “Let me remind the government that killing and murder remain serious crimes in our law books. No level of politics can change this. Nigerians are being killed and the government seems helpless. Utterances from government officials such as the Defence Minister, Brig–Gen. Mansur Dan–Ali (rtd), and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, are not helping matters. One wonders if we are in the same country.

    “Peace and security cannot be guaranteed where there is no justice. To enforce the law, security agents must ensure justice for all and sundry. Nigerians were shocked to wake up on New Year Day and hear the news of killings in Benue State. Now, Nigerians living in Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kogi and others don’t feel safe. Senseless killing is like cancer and if not quickly checked, the situation can lead to a complete breakdown of law and order because Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.

    “Historically, the Yoruba are known to have the capacity to defend themselves. These killers are testing waters by burning the farm of Chief Olu Falae and invading the farms of prominent people in the South-West. We will no longer accept activities of this murderous gang in Yorubaland. Enough is enough”.

    Aare Adams also told Buhari that the only solution to the various crises in the polity “is restructuring”.

    “Restructuring is the only system that will bring about a just, fair and egalitarian society. I welcome the report of the Governor Nasir el-Rufai APC Committee which also recommended restructuring but what the committee has done is not different from the position of the 2014 National confab.

    “If Nigeria is going to survive as a nation, this country must be restructured. This is the time to have true federalism, state police, resource ownership and control, and an entirely new constitution deriving its legitimacy from the people”.

  • Buhari to Gani Adams: Use your position for national unity

    Buhari to Gani Adams: Use your position for national unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Otunba Gani Adams, Leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), on his investiture as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

    The investiture ceremony holds on Saturday.

    The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, charged Otunba Adams to use the new position to pursue worthy goals of security, peace and national unity.

    The President also commended the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, on the appointment of a new Aare Ona Kakanfo, who would assist him in the arduous task of leading the illustrious Yoruba people.

    President Buhari urged the new Aare Kakanfo to bring quintessential courage, wisdom and astuteness to bear on his new office, for a more secured life for the weak, vulnerable and voiceless in the country.

    The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the Aare Ona Kakanfo a favourable reign.

    Read Also: Buhari to illegal migrants: stay home to improve economy