By Our Reporter
Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has reaffirmed his commitment to complement government's efforts at all levels in safeguarding Yorubaland and promoting Yoruba culture and traditions globally.
Iba Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), made this reaffirmation on Saturday, while giving an account of his stewardship to mark his 8th Coronation Anniversary as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Speaking at the event which took place at Regency Hall, Otunba Jobifele Way, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos and attended by eminent personalities, including traditional rulers, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Igbo Communities, OPC members, among others, Iba Adams, while reflecting on his years in office, highlighted his numerous contributions in the areas of security, cultural promotion, and philanthropy, among others.
He noted that his initiatives had focused on strengthening community-based security, preserving Yoruba heritage, and ensuring that Yoruba values and traditions remained relevant both locally and internationally.
Iba Adams noted that sustained collaboration with government institutions and stakeholders remained critical to protecting lives and property across Yorubaland, as well as deepening cultural consciousness among the younger generation.
The Yoruba generalissimo reiterated his resolve to continue serving as a unifying force for the Yoruba people, stressing that the promotion of culture, peace, and development would remain central to his leadership in the years ahead.
On cultural promotion, Iba Adams stressed that progress would be difficult for any people who neglect their culture, noting that the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), under his leadership, promotes 35 cultural festivals annually without external or internal grants, despite the huge financial commitment involved.
This was just as he also noted that while some festivals lasted between three and seven days, the Olodumare Festival runs for 21 days every year.
The Yoruba generalissimo, however, expressed delight that Yoruba people were increasingly embracing their cultural identity by wearing traditional attire at events, adding that he had consistently advocated Yoruba unity even before becoming Aare Ona Kakanfo.
He, however, charged Yoruba sons and daughters to always value and cherished their culture and tradition.
Speaking further, Adams said that he was also engaged in humanitarian activities, and ensured that students were given scholarship awards every year.
"We also engage in humanitarian activities. We are involved in charity work and award scholarships to many students every year," he said.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Ambassador Olugbenga Onasanya, popularly known as Eko, earlier in his remark, recalled that Iba Adams was installed as Aare Ona Kakanfo on June 13, 2018, by the late Alaafin of Oyo, HRM Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, saying the installation ceremony was hosted by the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, whom he described as a lover of Yoruba culture.
Onasanya applauded Iba Adams, saying that he had been performing his duties creditably as the Yoruba generalissimo of Yorubaland, even as he quickly recalled that the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at the installation, "described him as a modern Aare because of his commitment to promoting Yoruba culture."
“For eight years, he has surpassed expectations. He has engaged Yoruba communities in the diaspora, unified security networks across Yorubaland, organised security summits, and awarded scholarships to students in the South-West,” he said.
The anniversary celebration featured goodwill messages, traditional dances, and cultural performances.
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