AGITATION for restructuring of the country, on Saturday, in Lagos, resonated as prominent Nigerians from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the first anniversary coronation of Iba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba.
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Adams with a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel on the occasion, observed that Nigerians were united on restructuring as the only vehicle that could unite and move the country forward.
The event, which took place at the Oregun area of the state, and attended by others personalities, including Mrs Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Mrs Bosede Adedibu, wife of late famous Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu; former Minister of State for Defence, Chief (Mrs) Modupe Adelaja, obas and chiefs, among others, witnessed the installation of 21 new chiefs, as members of the Aare Ona Kakanfo’s Advisory Council.
In a brief opening remark, Otunba Daniel, who is the Director-General of Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, said given the circumstances that Nigeria had found itself, and without political, everyone agreed that restructuring the country was the way out.
The former governor, who spoke in Yoruba like everyone after him, therefore, urged the Yoruba to remain united and equally pray God to bring forth a president that would restructure the country in 2019.
“I want to urge the Yoruba to stay together and united, given the circumstances the country has found itself. Without talking politics and political parties, everyone agrees that restructuring is key to addressing the problems facing the country. Pray that the government that will give us restructuring, God will give us in this country,” he said.
The former governor, while acknowledging the presence of the dignitaries at the event, congratulated all on the first anniversary coronation of Aare, praying that his reign would be a blessing to Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general.
Iba Gani Adams, in his own speech, declared pointedly that Nigeria could not progress without being restructured, tracing the problems facing the country to its adoption of a unitary system of government while jettisoning the Federal System that was handed over to it the Independence in 1960 by the Colonialists.
“Then, I say if Nigeria is not restructured, we cannot move forward. Let’s look at how we got Independence and what we were operating with then. Since we adopted unitary system of government. Nigeria has been in problems. If we want solution, we have to restructure,” Adams said.
On his council of chiefs, the Aare Ona Kakanfo said he was not the first in that office to do so, saying that the first 12 occupiers of the exalted office had theirs too except Aare Ladoke Akintola and the 14th Aare MKO Abiola, due to their deep involvement in politics.
While disclosing that he decided to pick the new chiefs with the clear permission of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, Adams, declared that the present day Aare had become a “modern Aare,” who would by duties assigned to him could not accomplish them alone and make any headway without having his chiefs to assist him.
“Without chiefs, no Aare can succeed. If any crisis happens in Saare, Kaba or Lagos, will the Aare be only one to go and resolve it? The Aare of today has become modern: nowadays, for every week, I receive up to 40 invites; will I be everywhere,” he queried.
Besides, Adams said he would be having an advisory council, saying what the council would be saddled with was how to pull a true and correct history for the Yoruba, just as he maintained the need for unity among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland without which it would be impossible to secure unity among socio- cultural groups as well as the political leaders.
According to the Aare Ona Kakanfo, members of the Aare-in-Council will serve in gathering intelligence for the Aare Ona Kakanfo as well as representing him in places, where he could not be.
Members of the Aare in-Council include: Chief Wale Abel, Honourable Taofeek Isa; Chief Olusegun Dare; Mrs Oluremi Dare, Chief Sola Oshunkeye; Captain Michael Adesina, Akogun Gani Balogun; Honourable Akeem Ige, Kehinde Oluwole Rt Honourable Femi Bamisile; Otunba Kole Omololu; Kayode Ajulo; Oguntimehin, Professor Kolawole Raheem, Chief Ebudola Odedina Chief Kamorudeen Lamina, Chief Yewande Green, Chief Ige, Chief Idiat Ayinke Alao, Chief Yaqub Adeshina and Chief Mrs Lateefat Adeshina.
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