Insecurity: Co-opt Gani Adams, Ooni Tells South West Governors

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has  said that he would rally all the six governors in the south west to involve the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, in securing the
south west region against the prevailing killings and kidnappings.

Oba Adeyeye gave the assurances in Ile-Ife,  Osun State, on Wednesday, during the celebration of the 2024 edition of Oodua Festival, organized by the Olokun Festival Foundation(OFF).

Ooni, who was represented by the Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Adediwura, decried the brutal murder of two Obas in Ekiti State, describing it as a  bad omen and a pointer to the fact that the south west is becoming too volatile, as bad elements are making the region unsafe for the people.

He, however, promised to do everything possible to get the nod of the governors to involve Iba Gani Adams in securing the south west region.

“It is time to use what we have to get what we want.,” the Ooni declared. “We want peace in Yoruba land. We want effective security of lives and property. We want to sleep with our two eyes closed and we have a rising star who can make that possible.

“The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams is the rising star who has what it takes to tackle the security challenges as he has been  transforming the region through his cultural promotion activities for the past two decades.”

In his remarks, Iba Gani Abiodun called for a holistic approach to solving the security scourge across Nigeria, assuring the governors of the south west region that if they involve him in their efforts to curb the raging spate of insecurity, he was sure that the security challenges in the region would reduce drastically within six months.

“As the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland,” he said, “we will not allow the Plateau massacre to be replicated in any part of Yorubaland.

“But it must be stated that there is urgent need for a lasting synergy between the government and the people at the grassroots.

“With the present security situation in the country, it is obvious that the government cannot do it alone.

“The battle to curb the spate of insecurity should be a collective effort and the government should involve us in addressing this issue.

“If the governors of the south west  involve me in their efforts to curb insecurity in the region, I assure you that the security challenges in the region will reduce drastically within six months.”

Mr.Abiodun Fafa, Osun State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke, promised that as from next year, the state government will partner with the Olokun Festival Foundation in celebrating Oodua Festival in Ile-Ife.

Fafa disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke appreciated Aare Adams’ efforts in driving the Osun State tourism potentials through the just concluded OPU World Congress, where over 200 delegates, comprising prominent Yoruba diaspora organisations, gathered in Osogbo for five days and injected several millions of naira into the state’s economy.

“We didn’t know that the Oodua festival is such a big event,” the Commissioner confessed. “I assure you that by next year, the Osun State Government will be involved.

“What Aare Gani Adams is doing with the OPU is a pride to all of us and I think the Yoruba will always be grateful to him for promoting the culture and tradition of our race, not only in Nigeria but across the world.

“OPU delegates were in Osogbo for five days. They gave free health care facilities to the people.They built borehole for the people to have access to pipe borne water and they inject several millions into the state economy through feeding and accomodation.This was a good gesture that must be appreciated.

The guest lecturer, Dr Morufu Omigbule from the Faculty of Arts, Dept of English, of the Obafemi Awolowo University, spoke on rituals in Yoruba land and the need to preserve the  heritage.

He stated that the Yoruba nation was lucky to have Iba Gani Adams as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland at this time in history, urging all Yoruba Obas to support him in his efforts to promote the culture and traditions of the Yoruba race.

“I have been monitoring Aare Gani Adams for over two decades,” he continued, “and I saw his consistency. I admire his resilience in driving the cultural promotion activities of Yoruba race and I think it is time for all Yoruba Obas to support this worthy cause. That is the best way to preserve our heritage in Yorubaland.

Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Security Matters, Barr.
Samuel Ojo, and the Special Adviser to the governor on Internal Security and Local Matters, Dr.Adekunle Omoyele, in their separate remarks,
spoke on the efforts of the state government in ensuring effective security in the state.They urged the OPU delegates to come and invest in the state, insisting that the Osun state government is doing everything possible to attract foreign investors into the state.

“Osun state government is on top of the security situation in the state,” they said. “We are ready to make Osun state safe  for investors. So,delegates of OPU should not entertain any fear as we will do our very best to keep the state safe for them.”

No fewer than 10 prominent Obas attended the event, as lucky winners of the raffle draw played during the occasion went home with the star prize of motorcycle, and various gift items, like standing fans, pressing Iron and several others.