Gani Adams vows to “protect” Yoruba race, culture as Aare Ona Kakanfo

The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, on Saturday, promised to protect the interest of Yoruba race, both within the country and everywhere else people of the race exist; also preserve its culture.

Adams said this while giving his acceptance speech after his installation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in Oyo town saying that the Yoruba race is gradually losing value for its culture.

Pitiably, as a race, the new Aare Ona Kakanfo said, “we are gradually losing our culture.” But argued that onus to preserve the culture is to fully realize the potential of the Yoruba.

Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, presenting staff of office to Otunba Gani Adams, as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland in Oyo town, Oyo State

In his word, “The import of the Office still stands: protection of the interests of Yoruba race, both within the country and everywhere else people of the race exist.

“While it is estimated that there are 60 million Yoruba within Nigeria and about 200 million others scattered all over the world, as a starting point, the preservation of the culture of the race will occupy my attention.

“Pitiably, as a race, we are gradually losing our culture.

“In fact, from my travels around the world, it has become obvious that people of other races are taking more interest in our culture than we the owners of the culture, with Americans, Europeans and Asians now earning Degrees in the study of our culture, beliefs and what they have come to term Doctrine. We need to preserve our culture to fully realize the potential of the Yoruba.

“Though with an activist background, it is now clear that I have to do more as a bridge builder with this new responsibility.

“In as much as the focus of my struggle has changed over the years from the heady days of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to the spread of our culture through the formation of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is now in 79 countries, the Olokun Festival Foundation, Gani Adams Foundation and many others, this new responsibility, despite my age, has unwittingly forced the stature of a statesman on me.

“I promise to live up to that calling.”

The 52 traditional titles holder Aare Ona Kakanfo however promised to work with the traditional rulers to ensure he achieve his goal to protecting the Yoruba culture.

“In this regard, I will work with our traditional rulers, grassroots leaders and have good rapport with all stakeholders, no matter the differences of the past, for the unity, progress and advancement of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

“The office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity globally.”

Earlier in his address, the new Aare Ona Kakanfo paid homage to his predecessors from Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye; Oyapote of Iwoye; Oyabi of Ajase; Adeta of Jabata; Oku of Jabata; Afonja of Ilorin; Toyeje of Ogbomoso; Edun of Gbogun; Amepo of Abemo; Kurumi of Ijaiye; Ojo Aburumaku of Ogbomoso (son of Toyeje of Ogbomosho); Latoosa of Ibadan; Ladoke Akintola of Ogbomoso, and M.K.O. Abiola of Abeokuta.