It was a moment not to forget at the Grandeur Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos State on Sunday evening as the first anniversary of the installation of Aare Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land climaxed. It was pomp and pageantry as people from different walks of life joined Adams and his family to celebrate the epoch-making event.
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The week-long event had dignitaries, including the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Timipre Sylva, Mrs. Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Mrs. Bosede Adedibu, wife of late strong man of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu; chief (Mrs.) Modupe Adelaja; foremost traditional rulers and chiefs, among others who witnessed the installation of 21 new chiefs, as members of Aare Ona Kakanfo in council.
Royal fathers led by the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, and representatives of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu as well as that of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi also added royal colour to the event which provided an opportunity for the Yoruba generalissimo to give an insight into his plan for the Yoruba race in the future and also used the occasion to inaugurate the Aare in Council , which comprises twenty members.
Members of the council are: chief Wale Abel, Hon. Taofeek Isa, chief Olusegun Dare, Mrs Oluremi Dare, chief Sola Oshunkeye, Capt. Michael Adesina, Akogun Gani Balogun, Hon. Akeem Ige, Barr. Kehinde Oluwole, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Otunba Kole Omololu, Barr. Kayode Ajulo, Barr. Oguntimehin, Prof. 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 .
The first anniversary of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo also provided the Alaafin of Oyo, his imperial majesty, oba Lamidi Adeyemi to give the traditional prayers (Iwure) to the Yoruba warlord. Traditional chiefs from Oyo displayed the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people with the rendition of traditional prayers for Aare Adams. The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land while speaking on the need to have his separate council of chiefs, went into the archives, saying he would not be the first ever in that office to do so, adding 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.
Aare Adams, while disclosing that he decided to pick the new chiefs with clear permission of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, declared that the present day Aare had become “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.
Aare Adams said that members of the Aare-in-council were carefully selected and that they represented not just the six states that formed the South-West geo political zone but also states with Yoruba communities, Kogi and Kwara noting that the council will serve the function which will not be limited to just advising him.
“Without chiefs, no Aare can succeed. If any crisis happens in Saare, Kaba or Lagos, will the Aare be the 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 hinted that he would be having a 70-man 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 Yoruba land without which it would be impossible to secure unity among socio- cultural groups as well as the political leaders.
The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, while making his remarks at the grand finale of the first year celebration described the Aare Ona Kakanfo title as very important to the unity of the Yoruba race and urged the people of the South-West to always continue to cooperate with Adams.
Oba Professor Adekunle Okunoye, the Ogburu of Ibu, Osun State, while speaking during the inauguration of the council, said that Aare Adams “has not done anything unusual in having his own chiefs who will run the affairs of Yoruba land.” The traditional ruler also said that the installation of the chiefs has the backing of the Alaafin of Oyo himself.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on Media, Yussuf Olaniyonu commended Aare Adams for his doggedness and love for his country urging him not to relent in the course for struggle. The Senate President said of Gani Adams: “he has managed his office very well in the last one year that he became the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land.”
Former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Sally Mbanefo, while speaking at the event said “we have a very big respect for the Yoruba culture. I am proud to be associated with Aare Adams. He is one of the foremost promoters of the Nigerian tourism industry. He has been using the Yoruba culture to promote tourism.”
Representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Bashorun Yussuf told the guests at the event that the choice of Aare Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo was not a sole decision of the Oyo monarch, saying that the monarch consulted widely with other traditional rulers before arriving at the choice of Adams.
One of the members of the new council, Kamorudeen Lamina, who spoke on behalf of other chiefs, commended Aare Adams for taking the bold step of inaugurating the Aare -in -council and pledged the support of all members of the council to the people of the Yorubaland .
He said “members of the council have been called to service and we have all agreed to work with the Aare Ona Kakanfo. We will all contribute our quota to the development of Yoruba land. We will ensure that we give our utmost best to ensure that Aare Gani Adams succeeds.”
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