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Tag: Otunba Gani Adams

  • Royal fathers urged to sustain cultural heritage

    The National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has advised African traditional rulers to intensify the propagation of the rich cultural heritage, values and traditions of the black race.

    Adams said for Africa to succeed and maintain its rightful position in the world, premium must be placed on her distinct values, customs and traditions that distinguished them from other races in the world.

    He gave the advice at the Ataoja’s Palace in Osogbo while receiving traditional chieftaincy title of Agba Akin of Osogbo land from the traditional ruler, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun.

    ýAdams, who described Africans as the most blessed race in the world, said unless efforts are made towards harnessing the continent’s socio-economic and cultural endowments, her position would be difficult to identify and reckon with.

    ýThe OPC National Coordinator, who called on traditional rulers and other custodians of African cultures and traditions to defend the continent’s God-given potential, said no effort must be spared at raising the bar of African traditional endowments for the betterment of all.ý

    ýHe bemoaned the manner at which some people desecrate traditional institutions, noting that “unless we value our endowments and give them priority attention, it would not be valued by others”.ý

    ýThe Agba Akin of Osogbo land said it behoves on every black man to regard his culture and tradition as sacred that shouldn’t be allowed to be either desecrated or fade away by worldly frivolities. ý

    He said: “It is disheartening that our culture, tradition and values are gradually going into extinction. This has not only posed a threat to our national and international lives but also defaced our identity as a black race.   ý

    ý”We must begin to do the necessary things to reposition our continent as the richest race with the most valued ýcultures and traditions in the world.

    “Our people, particularly the traditional rulers, must see the need to revamp the decadence in the system and place us above other races as regards socio-cultural heritage and values.

    “Africans are known for distinct values and virtues, thus we must all maintain the standard by being conscious of what define us as a people with valued culture, heritage and traditions. ý

    ý”All hands must be on deck to rejuvenate, develop and promote anything that will further enrich us in our collective values as a people and continent.

    “So, for no reason should Africans, particularly the Yoruba, mortgage their culture, tradition and heritage.”ý

    ýAdams, who described the ancient town of Osogbo as one of the most oriented communities in Africa, said the town has made a landmark in the history that conjoined Africans as a race.ý

    ýSpeaking on the hardship posed by economic recession being experience by Nigerians, he lent his voice to the clamour to restructure Nigeria, saying the move remains the best alternative for genuine development.ý

    The OPC National Coordinator, who advocated immediate restructuring of Nigeria along regional lines to enhance the development of the country and rescue her from imminent crash, suggested the adoption of mutual understanding and compromise to make Nigeria workable.

    Adams, who assured Yoruba of adequate quality and efficient representation as being demonstrated by the organisation in its effort to provide security, said the OPC, in collaboration with other security agencies, had performed well by flushing the dreaded Badoo cultist group out of Lagos.

    ýEarlier, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Adetunji Olanipekun said decision to confer such revered chieftaincy title on Adams was in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the growth and development of Osogbo, Yoruba land, Nigeria and Africa.

    Ataoja, who described Adams as a symbol of Yoruba and African culture, said his position as the leader of OPC has been used to attract respect for Africans, particularly the Yoruba.

    “We don’t just confer titles on people if such beneficiaries cannot justify such titles. As par Gani Adams, he is eminently qualified for it. That is why we deemed it fit to bestow on him, the Agba Akin of Osogbo land.

    “To us, this title is historic and valued in Osogbo and Yoruba nation and we believe strongly that it will not only encourage him to do more in impacting on the lives of the people but will also help in strengthening our cultural heritage as his new title is a round peg in a round hole”, Ataoja said.

  • Gani Adams welcomes second child

    Gani Adams welcomes second child

    FEW things are worth waiting for more than a child; a beautiful, living testament of the love between two people. The longer the wait, the sweeter the testimony. Last weekend, the coordinator of the Oodua’s People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, learnt this beautiful lesson for the second time as his wife, Erelu Mojisola Adams, put to bed again after a long wait.

    The birth of the Adams’ second child is a thing of joy for the elated OPC coordinator and his wife who had to wait for nine years for their first child after their wedding. During those trying times, the couple stayed true to each other. While other celebrity unions were falling apart left and right, theirs was a house built on the rock, withstanding the storms of pressure from families and friends.

    With the naming ceremony set for some time this week, high society is already gearing up to celebrate with one of their own.

  • OPC abolishes ‘Factions’ as Frederick Fasehun, Gani Adams unite

    OPC abolishes ‘Factions’ as Frederick Fasehun, Gani Adams unite

    The Pan-Yoruba militant movement, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has resolved to abolish ‘Factions’ that has decimated the unity of the group over the years.

    OPC regret that the hitherto factions led by Dr. Fredrick Fasehun and Otunba Gani Adams respectively was “a vain of unity and development in Yoruba land”.

    According to the Congress, “the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) is now one with no allegiance to any of the two leaders for the peace, greatness and development of Yoruba Nation”.

    This was contained in a communique issued and signed by the trio of OPC chieftains, Comrade Razaq Arogundade, Comrade Dare Adesope and Hon. Mutiu Balogun Ololade respectively after participating in the Yoruba Unity Retreat held in Ibadan and organised by The Yoruba Leadership and Peace Initiative.

    The communique urged all Yoruba sons and daughters as well as Yoruba leaders and the entire citizens of Nigeria “to henceforth see Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, as one with no affiliation to any faction or any of the two leaders who have mortgaged the future of Yoruba Nation for their own selfish interests.”

    Specifically, the communique declared that “the entire members of the group have equally resolved to relieve the erstwhile leaders, Dr Fredrick Faseun and Otunba Gani Adams of their positions.”

    “We decided to make this decision in the interest of all Yoruba sons and daughters as these two leaders have failed Yoruba Nation due to political partisanship which had been a cog in the wheel of development of Yoruba Nation,” it said.

    The communique states further:  “As Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, is now one; we have resolved to defend Yoruba Nation from any form of attack either internal or external attacks. Any attempt by any tribe, group or people to attack, molest or tamper with the fundamental human rights of Yoruba sons and daughters will be met with equal response from Oodua People’s Congress, OPC.,

    “We equally commend Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (III) for clarifying the controversy making round on the instalment of new Aare Ona Kakanfo. The position of the first class Oba on the issue has shown that the royal father is an upholder of merit as the position is not for charlatans and morally bankrupt individuals.

    “The entire members of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC equally condemn some persons of questionable characters who have been parading themselves as the next Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land. As such misleading members of the public.

    “We are also calling on Oodua descendants both at home and in the Diaspora that reformation is ongoing in the organization now and we welcome advice, suggestions or any form of contributions that will bring about positive transformation to the organization from concern descendants in any part of the world. United we stand and divided we fall. We are ever ready to work with all other Oodua groups in other to get to the Promised Land.”

     

  • OPC warns herdsmen against attack

    OPC warns herdsmen against attack

    Oodu’a Peoples’ Congress (OPC), a Yoruba socio-cultural group, has warned herdsmen against continuous attacks on innocent people and communities, saying it would not tolerate killing of farmers in the Southwest.

    The group also cautioned the Federal Government against initiating the controversial grazing bill, saying it would vehemently resist the move to promulgate a law that would give privilege to a section of the country.

    Rising from a general meeting held Tuesday in Gbagada, Lagos, OPC members described the controversial grazing bill as “insult” to the people.

    OPC National Publicity Secretary, Shina Akinpelu, said: “It is an insult to collective psyche of Nigerians to hear that a bill is being considered to allow or create grazing zones for the herdsmen. The OPC and the whole Yoruba nation reject such proposition and will resist it with all that we have.”

    The OPC members also called on Otunba Gani Adams to stop parading himself as leader of the group. They accused Adams of trading off the group for personal gains. They all condemned Adam’s style of leadership.

    More than 1,000 members of the group across states attended the meeting.

    OPC national officers, who attended the meeting, included Chief Boye Mayunpe, Alhaji Amusa Musiliu, Lagos Island chapter chairman, Alhaji Lateef Oshodi; Oyo State chapter chairman, Chief Adeola Adeagbo and his Kwara and Bayelsa states counterparts, Comrade Moruf Olanrewaju and Comrade Akeem, among others.

     

  • Oodua Progressive Union in France 

    Oodua Progressive Union in France 

    The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples ‘Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, has inaugurated the France Chapter of Oodua Progressive Union.

    The ceremony held at Boulevard De Liberation, St Denis, Paris, was attended by the Nigerian Ambassador to France, Hakeem Olawale, who was represented by the Head of Chancery, Olumide Olowo .

    OPU France Coordinator Aladeloye Akinloye Hakeem, in his welcome address, lauded Adams’ vision in rising to salvage the obliteration of Yoruba culture, values and tradition.

    Aladeloye also praised OPU members in Europe for their resilience and support for Adams.

    Olawale praised the OPC coordinator for “being a cultural icon who came to Paris to re awake and stoke the embers of cultural renaissance among the Yoruba and other ethnic groups”.

    “We at the Embassy salute his courage and commend him for giving Nigerians and the Yoruba a sense of cultural belonging and pride not only in Nigeria but at the international level.”

  • Gani Adams marks 44th birthday in grand style

    Gani Adams marks 44th birthday in grand style

    This is indeed happy times for the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. The OPC leader, who is presently a delegate in the National Conference representing the Yoruba race, recently marked his 44th birthday celebration with a bash for friends and associates.

    The celebration, which was marked with a week-long of activities, saw the activist cum culture promoter receiving a chieftaincy title from the Ndi Eze Udo in Lagos, who conferred on Adams the title of Azi Eyindigbo on him. His friends also organised a novelty football match and a visit to an orphanage as part of other activities to celebrate their man.

    The grand finale, which held at the Sheba Event Centre on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Lagos, saw dignitaries from across the business, political and other divides come out to honour Adams.

    The celebration was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Michael Church in Surulere, Lagos. Speaking on his experience, Adams, while expressing gratitude to the Almighty for sparing his life, said he was surprised by the turnout of dignitaries who came to identify with him in his hours of joy. “I am particularly grateful to the Almighty for sparing my life to witness this day. I must confess that I am both happy and surprised by the turnout of dignitaries. I thank them all for coming out to celebrate with me.”

    Among the dignitaries at the event included the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Kofoorola Burknor; leader of Afenifere group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Youth and Students Affair, Comrade Jude Imagwe; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu; Mr. Tunde Shobulo (DCP, Lagos) and Hon. Babatunde Oke, Executive Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, among several others.

  • Commotion as Gani Adams inaugurates OPC Itsekiri chapter

    Commotion as Gani Adams inaugurates OPC Itsekiri chapter

    There was tension and drama in Warri, Delta State yesterday as the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, inaugurated a Delta State chapter of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Itsekiri community.

    What would have been a bloody confrontation between angry Itsekiri youths and security operatives was averted by the swift intervention of the leadership of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and members of the OPC.

    Adams, who led 2,000 OPC leaders, including Alhaji Oyinlola Awe, Lateef Oladimejo and Mudashiru Aderibigbe, National Admin Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer; INYC President, David Tonwe and others, were stopped from the venue of the ceremony.

    The ceremony, scheduled for 11am at the Atuwatse II Model Primary School, Esisi Road in the Oil City, was later moved to a private residence when policemen invaded the scene and barricaded the entrance to the premises.

    Mr. Gbubemi Abigor, INYC spokesman, lamented the misinformation spread about the event.

    “Our idea is to have contact with our brothers from the Southwest (OPC) and ensure that we can relate socially, economically, politically, etc.

    “Funny enough, this very good and noble intention was marred by negative speculations. We deem it necessary that we should avoid anything that can dent this noble relationship we are trying to create,” Abigor, who spoke on behalf of INYC President, David Tonwe, said.

    Speaking in the same vein, Otunba Adams, who led a large contingent of about 80 of OPC National Coordinating Council members to Warri, said: “We are not in Itsekiri (Warri) to cause problem and I do not see anything bad in coming to Delta State.”

    The OPC leader regretted that respected Itsekiri leaders would spread false information about an ordinary meeting between two closely related ethnic groups, who share ancestral linkage.

    He said the congress was not a fully militant group as it was portrayed, stressing that the group has played its part, like other ethnic bodies, in restoring pride of place to the Yoruba nation.

    He hailed the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought for ensuring that OPC Delta State (Itsekiri chapter) was inaugurated and the INYC for hosting the OPC National Coordinating Council (NCC) Meeting without the predicted breakdown of law and order.

    “With what we have done, we have shown a great deal of maturity. We played down the issue of confrontation.

    “Our members in this community are more than 2,000. If we (had) marched them to the field, there would have been chaos. I have to thank the leadership and organisation skill of the Itsekiri for the level of understanding,” he added.

    Earlier, Pa Ayomike, who received the OPC and INYC teams in his home, slammed the state government for preventing attendees from enjoying the freedom of association as provided by the constitution, stressing that it has become a recurring incident for the government to violate the constitution.

    However, he commended Otunba Adams and the leadership of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, led by Tonwe, for achieving the goal of the day despite the intimidation and harassment by security operatives.

    Pa Ayomike, a reputable historian, later presented one of his books, titled: ‘Warri: A Focus on The Itsekiri’, to commemorate the historical visit.

    The inauguration of Comrade Hakeem Agboola as the OPC Delta chapter coordinator was witnessed by Mr. Amorighoye Mene, Mr. Edward Ekpoko, Chief F.A. Rewane, Prof. Tony Afejuku, Mr. David Iwere and Dr. Lucky Akaruese

  • ‘Only cultural rebirth can fix Nigeria’

    ‘Only cultural rebirth can fix Nigeria’

    The country is troubled, no doubt. But is there no way out? The National Coordinator of the frontline Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, proffers solutions to the nation’s ills in an encounter with Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN.

    For over two hours, he seethed with rage. Literally, he was an active volcano on the loose. “Which way Nigeria …?” This question, which was once asked by the late Ozzidi King, Sunny Okosuns, in one of his evergreen songs, seemed the ruler of his troubled mind at the moment.

    It was a thought-provoking encounter between this reporter and the activist National Coordinator of the frontline Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. He dilated on the “worrisome multifaceted pollution” plaguing the country. His submission: “We are facing the grim consequences of people’s neglect of their sacred cultural values.”

    The various problems besetting the country and its people, he emphasised, are the fallouts of the divorce between most Nigerians and God, in preference for morbid materialism, rooted in lost conscience.

    “The Nigerian system needs an overhaul. Look at the spate of corruption by the nation’s leadership; look at the magnitude of brazen looting in the land, while most Nigerians wallow in dangerously deepening poverty and want. This attitude arose from the loss of our cherished value of honesty and fear for God’s inviolate Commandments,” he said.

    His concern over the upsurge in crimes and general insecurity in the country came to the fore when his feeling was sought on the security problems rattling the polity. He minced no word as he restated the call for state police, saying: “State police has become a desideratum now. Only Lagos Island-born people, for instance, would secure the environment better, unlike the present central system of policing that is ineffectual. You can’t bring a policeman from Taraba to police Arigidi, my town in Ondo State; it won’t bear fruits.

    “Look at the Boko Haram onslaught in some northern parts of the country – the soldiers deployed there could not do much until recently, when the vigilance men who are indigenes of the communities got involved. The trouble makers are now being identified because the people know themselves and are now able to fish out the criminals. This is a proof that localised policing cannot be wished away.”

    He was effusive in condemnation of the attitude of the black eggs among policemen, which he said, had fanned the ember of criminality in the country. “Our policemen want quick money and because of that, they now compromise in line of their duties. If someone writes a petition against you and even if you are found innocent, you won’t leave their stations without dropping something. People have therefore lost confidence in them,” he said.

    The nation’s prison system, Adams also lamented, “is not reformatory,” explaining: “A person jailed for a light offence often comes out more hardened. Something needs be done.”

    The worsening unemployment, especially among the youth, appeared another pain in the heart of the OPC leader. Hear him: “The crux of all the indices of pollution in our body politic is youth unemployment, which is being fueled by the callousness of our leaders. Tuition fees are now beyond the reach of poor parents. Hunger is on the rampage; 70 percent of our graduates have nothing doing – social security as it is in the European countries is not there. Abroad, once you turn 18, you have a home to yourself and a monthly stipend, pending when you will get engaged.

    “Here, our youths are left in the lurch. Many are now motorbike riders. Some are yahoo boys and area boys. And sadly, no community, however small, is spared today. Our youths are now being recruited to fight on lands; many are now touts and tools in the hands of the unscrupulous among our politicians. Many are beggars around the palaces of some well-to-do monarchs – a thing that was alien to our culture and our government is not doing enough to encourage them to embrace vocations for self-reliance.”

    “Food is cheap abroad because their leaders know that once you are well-fed, the tendency to commit crime won’t be there. Here, the recreational facilities to engage youths here are no longer there. Our National Stadium in Surulere is now a centre for religious crusades; nobody is thinking of how to revitalise it to keep our youths off crimes.

    “In those good old days, one needed no curriculum vitae to get jobs; all one needed to walk to any company like the textile industries and get engaged, anyhow. Today, most of those companies in Sango Ota and Ikeja for instance, including the warehouses, are now worship centres. Why? Poor power supply worsened by our ruined economy,” Adams added, as he shook his head in pity.

    However, much as he believes in total rebirth of the nation’s leadership, he said it is fundamental that the populace is culturally re-awakened to re-embrace the basic etiquette of healthy lifestyle.

    “The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said it that any system that has no regard for cultural relevance risks retardation. If all the tribes in this country take their cultures seriously, we will relive the crime-free system of the olden days,” he said.

    He spoke further: “The Yoruba we speak with edifying proverbs in this part of the world is rich in moral values that helped to ensure sanity in the system in those days. Today, in how many homes in Yoruba land do parents speak the language to their wards? In Yoruba, it is said that if you despise your parents, you won’t prosper. If that belief is reinforced, who is the child that will commit heinous crimes? I sincerely believe that Yoruba must be part of our school curricula from primary to tertiary levels.

    “If a child is taught the moral ingredients of his language, he would internalise them and bring it to bear in his dealings with his fellowmen. The absence of this is now our collective tragedy. Our Yoruba traditional religion teaches us that you will reap whatever you sow; so do other religions; but our so-called leaders don’t appreciate this sacrosanct truism, which is why they seem to have gone haywire with immoralities.

    “In those days, no one would dare touch any other person’s property; besides the fact that the economy was fair, it was entrenched in our belief that some gods would be angry. Unfortunately, the orthodox religions that many, including traditional rulers have embraced do not help the society. Why? People no longer serve God faithfully. Most of our festivals are now extinct and the health of the society suffers.”

    Adams is uncomfortable with people’s erroneous perception about traditional religion. Hear him: “Before both Islam and Christianity got here, traditional religion had been holding our system intact. I dare say that there is nothing wrong in practising any of the religions; what matters is how honest you are with God. This is why our system is sick. Our leaders must be strong spiritually to administer people’s affairs because every human activity is spiritually directed.”

    He explained further: “Everything that God created – land air, rain, ocean, farming and trading et cetera – is being administered by some administrators sent by God. Deities like Sango, Yemoja, Ogun, Obatala, Orisa Oko and Osun among many others, are God’s administrators on earth. They work for peace and prosperity if their followers follow them in unalloyed faith. When you follow them, you must not forget God, the Omnipotent, to reap the abundant gains of your belief in Him.

    “There is a deity called Alale in each settlement. In those days, once it was worshipped, it would bless everything that happened in the town. Look at Lagos; it is peaceful and prosperous because the traditional rulers often make sacrifices to the gods. In Ekiti and Ondo, where cocoa used to be sourced, things have changed. Why? It is because the Orisa Oko (the god of productivity) is left uncared-for. Even at the national level, we have to return to the basics to revamp the country. It is inescapable. We must worship God in truth; otherwise, we would be chasing shadows in our quest for socio-economic rebirth.”

    Disclosing that the OPC was working on how to ensure the rebuilding of Nigeria, Adams said: “We are not happy with what is happening. This is part of why in September, we are launching the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), another organisation, in London, Holland and the United States,” adding: “Already, we have branches in 53 countries. We are out to ensure cultural re-awakening in our land for people’s deserved prosperity and peaceful coexistence.”