Aare Ona Kakanfo: Carry us along, Yorubas in Kwara plead with Gani Adams

Yorubas in Kwara state have appealed to the Aare Ona kakanfo of Yoruba land, Dr Gani Adams to carry them along in his quest for the unity and cultural drive of the yoruba race.
The Olupo of Ajase Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda  Sanni and The Eleese of Igbaja, Oba Alhaji Hammed Awunni Babalola made the plea yesterday during a thank you visit to their palaces by the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Dr Gani Adams.

The Olupo Ajase Ipo  who posited that the people of his area are Yoruba’s said ” those of us in west should not forget those of us here. “We are Yorubas, don’t throw us away  and we want to be carried along in the drive to unify the yoruba race and the promotion of its culture.”

The monarch who said he does not speak the Hausa language said the Aare Ona Kakanfo should always remember that he has people in Kwara state, even as he prayed that Gani Adams tenure as Aare Ona Kakanfo would be successful. Speaking in the same vein,the Eleese of Igbaja, said he migrated from Oyo.

According to him,he is from Ajiboro’s house in the ancient town of Oyo. He thanked the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi for his decision to bestow the Kakanfo title on the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress. Responding, the Aare  Ona Kakanfo designate who also visited the palace of  Orangun of Ile Ila, Offa and Ira thanked the royal fathers for their love and prayers.

He   urged  traditional rulers to promote their native religion with zeal. Warning against the danger of neglecting their primary responsibility of custodians of  culture and tradition,  Adams said “there are  dare consequences for the  neglect of our native tradition “.

He said there is nothing wrong with an Oba practicing the religion of his choice,   adding however that, it should be done with moderation and balanced with the promotion of  the traditional religion. Urging the traditional rulers to help themselves and their subjects by ensuring that the various deities in their domains are appeased and the relevant festivals celebrated, the Aare said “let us identify the differences between religion and tradition.

“Let us do Christianity and Islam as well as our traditional religion moderately without allowing one to affect the other. “You should celebrate the relevant festivals in your communities  as this will pave the way for your progress and that of your town.
“Marking these festivals does not prevent you from playing your roles in your churches and mosques and even the traditional religion i am pleading with you to promote should be done with moderation” he pleaded.