Tradition meets glamour as Gani Adams is installed Aare Ona Kakanfo

The installation of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land held in Oyo last Saturday and lived up to its billing, in terms of attendance and associated glamour. TUNDE BUSARI and TUNDE OGUNESAN report.

Never in the history of Aare Ona Kakanfo installation did the Alaafin and the new Aare ride to the installation ground with a ceremonial carriage. That was what the mammoth crowd that thronged the Durbar Stadium on the problematic Oyo-Ogbomosho road witnessed last Saturday at the installation of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, Gani Adams.

The chariot, which arrived the stadium early noon, was a beauty to behold, carrying the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi and Aare Gani Adams, in a complete royal atmosphere.  Another historic scene at the installation was the decoration of the new Aare in in the full glare of the crowd, a contrast to what was witnessed at the installation of the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola in 1988.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the late Abiola allegedly turned down the instruction to adorn the tiger skin regalia as tradition guiding the title required. He was said to have done so on religious ground as a devout Muslim who was expected not to wear such costume for any reason.

The development, it was learnt, did not go down well with the Alaafin-In-Council as well as other traditionalists who were said to have reluctantly accepted the veiled insult to Yoruba custom and tradition.

However, Gani Adams publicly demonstrated to the world that under no circumstance would he disrespect Yoruba culture as he surrendered himself to all the rites of the office. He spent three days in seclusion in Oyo during which, according to Oba Adeyemi, he was taken through all he needed to know as the generalissimo of Yoruba land.

If the public did not see what transpired behind the curtain in those three days, the final rites were performed in the public to the wild ovation of the large crowd.

The Alaafin personally conducted the rites with assistance from the Iwarefa who guided Adams in carrying 14 calabashes which, the monarch revealed, represented each of the past Aare Ona Kakanfos. As he carried each calabash, he mentioned the name of an Aare Ona Kakanfo and offered prayer for the Yoruba nation amid thunderous acknowledgment.

Adams was finally led inside the hut where he was dressed in the tiger skin regalia and cap under which the Akoko leaf was inserted at both sides of the cap. Adams, at that point, looked wild, indicative of the effect of the traditional rites on him.

Apparently to clear the air on insinuation that the rites involved some secret items, the Alaafin, who was submerged by the battery of journalists and cameramen, invited all traditional rulers on the occasion to the spot to witness the final rites, a request which they obliged as they trooped out.

While carrying one of the calabashes, Adams raised his voice and invoked the spirit of Yoruba ancestors to unleash their wrath on those he called enemies of Yoruba unity.

“Whoevers says the Yorubas should not speak in one, united voice would meet untimely death before the end of this year. Yoruba ancestors would call the person to their domains in due course. So shall it be,” he said.

Yoruba unity seems to be the only focus of the new Aare as he articulated in his acceptance speech how he would achieve the elusive cohesion in the nation, expressing his willingness to collaborate with some Yoruba leaders whose influence cut across due to their history of integrity.

“I will also persuade seven of our elders, who are not partisan, to work with me in uniting all Yoruba and resolve differences wherever they may arise. 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,” he said.

In what looked like a long rehearsed script, Oba Adeyemi also emphasized the role of the new Aare as a unifier of Yoruba people, irrespective of religious and political bias, harping on the need to draw a line between being political and being partisan.

“To that end, all human beings are politcial animals as long as we show interest in the development of one’s environment. In his advocacy for unity of the Yoruba as well as the defence and protection of Yoruba interests, I cannot see any person in our contemporary time that is more politcial than Gani Adams, the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land,” he said.

Those who had wished the occasion would bring the South-West governors to Oyo on Saturday left in disappointment as only the host Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi attended the installation with some of his commissioners.

Other governors only sent their representatives each of whom delivered a goodwill message from their principals. First to speak was the newly appointed Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr Kehinde Bamgbetan, who congratulated both the Alaafin and Aare Ona Kakanfo for the successful installation, wishing Adams a peaceful tenure and long life.

Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Surajudeen Adekunbi, stood in for Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun while the Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Moshood Adeoti represented Rauf Aregbesola. Many traditional rulers from Yoruba land and beyond graced the installation. The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja; the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba AbdulRasheed Olabomi; the Olorooruwo of Ororuwo, Oba Kamarudeen  Adeyemi Bello; the Olugbon of Ileigbon, Oba Olusola Alao and many others.

In addition to the long list of the monarchs included eminent Yoruba leaders including the Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Ondo State,Dr Olusegun Mimiko, an Ibadan-based industrialist, Chief Bode Akindele.

Also, the Senator who is currently representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Monsurat Sunmonu,was in attendance among others including Secretary of the Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odumakin, Chief Ganiyu Nasiru Isiaka, Chief Niyi Akintola, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede.

Aside members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), who adorned uniform Ankara fabric bearing the inscription of Aare Adams, representatives of the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), a body formed by Adams to further project and unify the Yorubas in the diaspora, also witnessed the installation.

The Coordinator of the Oodua Progressives Union (OPU) in the North America, comprising the United States of America and Canada, Mr Sola Agboola, said Adams was the right person for the title having effectively mobilised Nigerians in diaspora to wake up to the rebirth of Yoruba cultural heritage.

“Aare is gifted with leadership quality that is inspiring and assuring for a bright future for Yoruba culture. He has transformed our mindset such that we are closer to home now and establishing link with our people unlike what it used to be before he came into our world.

“Now the government in Canada has approved a Yoruba school where our children would study Yoruba as a course and come out with a recognized certificate. Also, one of us, Mr Segun Olude has published a book on Yoruba culture. The book is approved and will soon be presented to some personalities before we return to Canada,” he said.

A variety of cultural performances entertained the audience to make for the late arrival of the Alaafin and Aare and the governor. The Osun State troupe had to perform twice. Popular musicians such as Sir Sina Peters, Adewale Ayuba and Alabi Pasuma were also on stage but only Peters had a long time to entertain the guests under a separate hall-like tent.

The Araba of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon offered opening prayer referencing different Ifa verses to cleanse the path of the new Aare Ona Kakanfo. Elebuibon left the gathering about 30 minutes after he had appeased Yoruba ancestors for a hitch-free occasion.

Dismissing the myth surrounding the title, the chairman, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland central committee, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu, stressed that Adams would not need bows and arrows but courage and intelligence to respond to issues.

“He requires the agility of youth, and the stamina of a long distance runner as well as the wisdom of Solomon to be all things to all people both in season and out of season.Apart from the visible and tangible paraphernalia of office, he has been given the cultural, traditional, customary and contemporary tools essential for his effective performance in the field of service.”

Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji: He should promote regional integration, development

I know what it means to be Aare Ona Kakanfo. The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, Aare Gani Adams, is one of our own and a lover of Yoruba race. He may be young but what you can not deny is the strength of his character, boldness and courage in defending the cause of Yoruba race in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic setting like Nigeria.

The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo is being installed at an auspicious moment in the history of Yoruba race. Aare Gani Adams’ focus should be on how to promote regional integration and development. He should promote social peace and progress within the entity called Nigeria. I wish him good luck. He will not die mysteriously.

Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeetan II: Aare Gani Adams is round peg in round hole

Aare Ona Kakanfo is a powerful title in Yoruba race under the domain of the Alaafin of Oyo. The choice, Otunba Gani Adams, is a personality that has been championing the unity of Yoruba race. He has over the years been showcasing the culture and tradition of Yoruba race around the world. So, he is a round peg in a round hole.

Oba Lekan Balogun, Otun Olubadan of Ibadan: We appreciate the recipient of the title

It is a title that cuts across Yorubaland and we all appreciate the recipient of the new title, Aare Gani Adams. And from history of past occupants of the title, you would notice the attributes that made them worthy of the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo, things the new Aare possesses and make him the best choice at this time.

Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI): Like others, he should promote peace

As a neighbour, he’s been a good friend and I know he has the love of Yoruba people at heart. I think generally, this is about our people and culture.

I want him to promote the unity of Yorubaland. We need to be more united, define what we want to achieve and pursue it, and know what it takes to get it. This does not necessarily need going through any war or any of such, but through moral persuasion. Just think about it that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi since he came on board has been suing for peace, the Alaafin is also on the path of peace, so the other chiefs and Aare Ona Kakanfo must get into promoting the unity of the land.

Also, when you look at our social and economic development, you will notice that we have our strength and advantages as south westerners. I think we should use these strengths clearly to our advantages because there are things that are peculiar to us. They should be things that we have comparative advantage over if we have unity. We used to have the Western Region which was divided into six states. There are things we can use the length and breadth of Yorubaland to promote, using our population, brain power and everything we have.  The Aare Ona Kakanfo who is now a prominent Yoruba leader today more than ever before must be part of this.

Secretary General, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin: He should protect the territorial integrity of the Yoruba nation

A round peg in a round hole. Aare Gani Adams is a man we have been together with through the years, a tested war veteran, he is at the right place, he is a man with the heart of a lion,he is battle tested and not weary. He is somebody you can go to battle with blindfolded; I know he will not turn back on the day of battle. He has come at a time when the Yoruba people are facing a lot of residential (territorial) threats in Nigeria and I think he is a man who knows what his job is. His role is defined and I have no doubt in my mind that he will fulfifl his mandate. We can only pray that God grants him long life to protect the territorial integrity of the Yoruba nation, the dignity of the Yoruba person, and ward off enemies when necessary and lead the advancement of our civilisation.

We know that a good choice has been made and today is epocha,l a momentous day in the history of the Yoruba nation. He is a war general but the best way to make war is to make peace. He should ensure good neighborliness with our neighbours and friends across Nigeria. That does not mean he should not be battle ready in case he needs to fight. He should be an example to our young people in Yoruba land. He should pursue education and knowledge because that is the strength of warfare. In terms of business, he has to ensure that our business people have good environment to operate because that is another war front— the economic front. So, there are battles to be fought in various spheres of our lives and he should know that there is a duty for him in every sector to ensure that the Yoruba nation prospers and progresses.

Vice President, Association of Ndaeze Ndigbo in Diaspora Worldwide, Uche Dimgba: He should represent the whole of Nigeria

The Aare Ona Kakanfo has stood out for a very long time and people have been watching him but he never knew that he is very close to the Igbo community in Lagos State. Few years ago, we gave him the title of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos state. Our relationship is very cordial.

We pray to God to give him the strength and wisdom  to unite Yoruba, Igbos and Hausa. His own Aare Ona Kakanfo is not for Yorubaland but for Nigeria because he is a detribalised Nigerian. He is younger, energetic, vibrant and straightforward. He doesn’t support evil, cheating and that’s why we are with him. We are encouraging him to unite Nigeria. We need a Nigeria where everybody is their brother’s keeper.

Apena of Osugbo Ikeja, Lagos state, Isiaka Apena: He should continue to relate with all sections of society

He is the right person for the title. His track record on beauty, preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition speaks for him and that is why we came to honour him on his installation. We implore every Yoruba son and daughter, chief, king and even residents in our lands to support the new Aare Ona Kakanfo.

The task before him is what he knows how to do best and that is to continue to relate with every section of the society on truth.