PHOTOSCENE: Adams reveals agenda as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland

The new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Aare Gani Adams at his inauguration in Oyo city on Saturday revealed his priorities, and what he intends to pursue with his new office.

The event took place at the Palace of His Imperial Majesty Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Olayiwola Atanda as Adams emerged after performing the three days of rites for the office.

As the new ‘generalismo’ of Yorubaland, Adams stated that 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.

He stated that his greatest priority “is the unity of the Yoruba race at home and in the Diaspora”.
He further said that “It is of interest to note that the military, political, traditional and cultural symbolism of the title to the Yoruba Empire, about 600 years ago, is still of strategic importance in the 21st Century.

“This attribute reveals the uniqueness of the Yoruba race and shows that so much is still expected of the occupant of the post, despite the fact that physical and armed wars are no longer the order of the day.

“In fact, despite the fact that I am an holder of 52 traditional titles, none has drawn as much comments and commendation by way of letters and visits.

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“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 lamented, that “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 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.

“The office will equally ensure unity of all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world.

“Also of strategic importance to me is research and documentary to sustain the ideals of our founding fathers”.

He appealed to the Federal Government “to attend to some of the major roads in Yorubaland that are critical to its citizens”, and that it “will also be a major plus if the government, as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his January 1, 2018 speech, attends to rail transportation as fast as possible”.

 

 

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