Stakeholders dubs Aare Gani Adam Yoruba race torch bearer @49

• canvasses sw governors support

By Olanrewaju Adesanya

Eminent Nigerians have jointly canvassed support for Chief Gani Adam in his resolve to be at the forefront of the struggle to tackle whatever challenges confronting
Yorubaland.

Scores of traditional rulers, ethnic and civil
society groups,well  meaning Nigerians rallies support for the Aare Ona Kakanfo Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams as he
celebrates his 49th birthday.

Aare Gani Adam’s who doubles as the
National Coordinator of Oodua People Congress (OPC) pulled a large number of Obas and chief across south west to the venue of the event in Ikeja, Lagos.

While speaking, the Olowa of Igbara Oke, Oba Francis Agbede commended
the Aare for taking giant strides in protecting the cultural and
traditional values of Yorubaland.

“Iba Gani Adams is somebody we should accord every respect in all
regards. He has done a lot to promote the unity of the Yoruba race and
Nigeria in general.

“This birthday is a great day in the history of our nation in
general,’’ the monarch said.

Also, the Zaki of Arigidi Kindgom, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, however,
called for support for the Aare in tackling the challenges of
Yorubaland, decrying that only the Obas were supporting him.

“It is wrong for the Southwest Governors not to be relating with the
Aare Ona Kakanfo on the progress of the Yoruba race.

“Southwest leaders should not take for granted the position of Aare
Ona Kakanfo. Our six Southwest governors should sit with Aare in
moving Yoruba nation forward,’’ the monarch added.

Adams received the award of life patron of the Nigeria Football
Supporters Club and several other awards for his contribution towards
national unity and development of Yoruba cultural values and
heritages.

In her words, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the President Women Arise, a Civil
Society Organisation said: “Iba Gani Adams is committed, dogged, and
indefatigable supporter of culture.

“He is a man I can go to the battle with closing my eyes. He is a
peace ambassador. He is for peace; he is firm and a man of his words.

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ALSO READ: Gani Adams slams Oba Akinruntan for crowning Yoruba Obas in diaspora

“Today, as he marks the 49th birthday, he remains a great life wire
for the survival of the Yoruba race. He is one of the greatest gifts
to humanity. He is a very reliable and progressive activist.’’

Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the President General of the Nigerian Football
Supporter Club said that the Aare Ona Kakanfo had done so much for the
good of the country, propagating the positive culture of Nigeria.

Ladipo said: “He is a man who believes Nigeria must not just exist
but Nigeria must live.

“For us in the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, we don’t just give
anybody the position of patron; we must look at the person and be able
to know that such is worthy.

“If you look around the world today, the supporters club has only 19
patrons since inception, 63 years ago.

“Just two months ago, the board resolved to appoint Iba Gani Adams as
life patron.

“Having looked around the world, looking for those who merry the
position of life patron of the supporters club, Iba Gani Adams scored
100 per cent.’’

He said that the Aare had done enough for the protection of Yoruba
culture and ensuring unity of Yoruba race and Nigeria in general.

Also speaking, Dr Qasim Akinreti, Chairman, Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council said: “the event is remarkable and
the personality is extremely iconic in terms of his contributions to
Yoruba race.

“Adams was part of the struggle for the enthronement of democracy and
he is a cultural ambassador and that is why I described him as
iconic.’’

He said that Yoruba Obas needed to learn from Adams, his genuine love
for his community and Yoruba Nation.

“He has no apology for the promotion of what is good for Yoruba race.
He is also a promotion of restructuring of the Nigeria State which
means politically he is not a push over.

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“Culturally, he is iconic and that is a great lesson the traditional
rulers need to learn from him,’’ Akinreti said.

In his remarks, Adams said that OPC had been celebrating him since his
hay days for his contributions to the Yoruba nation.

“18 years ago, my people started celebrating me. But now, it has to
go beyond my organisation, my family and well wishers must be
involved.

“This day is epoch, a day of merry making, and a day of meeting some
of my friend and a day of celebration,’’ he said.

Some of the dignitaries at the event were High Chiefs Ibikunle Adio,Hon.Dipo Olorunrinu representing Amuwo Odofin 1 at the Lagos Assembly,
the Oluwo of Lagos and  Tajudeen Balogun both representing the Oba of
Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu and representative of the Alaafin of Oyo,
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Also present were the Iyaloja of Oyo Kingdom, Chief Adepeju Bakare,
representatives of Osun governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon and intellectuals
such as Professors Tunde Babawale, Derin Ologbenla and Raheem
Kolawole.

Also Chief Eze Alex Nwoye,the Bobaselu  Ejigbo and Ijanland, said at the event that Adams remained a friend of Igbo community
in Lagos State.

Nwoye said: “He carried Igbo along and we are partner in progress. He
is someone God has blessed. He is a man many people love. Leaders have
a lot to learn from him.’’

Alhaji Ado Dansudu, the National President, Arewa United Consultative
Forum, described Adams as a honest man and hero who always stood for
the interest of the masses.

Dansudu said that the Southwest had gained a lot from Adams in the
area of security.