The 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Saturday marked his eighth anniversary as the Aare Onakakanfo in Lagos.
He was installed in January 2018 by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III, as the generalissimo of Yoruba people.
Adams said he usually marks the anniversary in a grand style yearly, but opted for a modest celebration this year due to the country’s economic situation.
In his welcome address, he thanked guests and royal authorities for honouring the invitation and reflected on achievements recorded during his tenure.
On security, he said he had supported Nigerian security agencies through various groups he leads.
He said: “On the issue of security, I have tried to assist Nigerian security agencies through different groups that I have led starting from Oodua People Congress to Southwest Security Group and other groups.
“Southwest is partially peaceful because we the stakeholders have put in the effort.”
The generalissimo said the Oodua People’s Congress contributes “nothing less than 40 percent to the security in the South West”.
On culture, Adams said he had invested heavily in promoting Yoruba heritage, asking: “If you don’t promote your culture, who will promote it for you?”
He added: “If you don’t promote your culture, you will lose your identity and when you lose your identity your race will go into extinction.”
He said neglecting culture means “your ancestor or the meta beings won’t assist you in any cause you are doing”.
He described culture as vital to the growth, prosperity, peace, and tranquility of the Yoruba nation.
He said: “We have promoted about 35 different cultural festivals in a year,” describing it as an unprecedented feat.
Speaking on recent security concerns, Adams said: “Recently, there was a security threat coming from the Middle Belt that had affected Yoruba security in Kogi and Kwara States.”
He said that in response, the Aare-in-Council convened an emergency meeting and organised a press conference which, he claimed, “went a long way in attracting attention from the international community”.
According to him: “The fruit of that press conference is the US response to terrorism in Nigeria on Christmas Day.”
The Chairman of the planning committee of the event, Olugbenga Onasanjo, described Adams as a great man, saying he had strengthened security efforts in Nigeria and highlighted his philanthropic work, including scholarships for pupils.
Members of the Arewa Consultative Forum were present at the celebration.
Its Vice-President, Muhammad Abubakar, while presenting a portrait gift to Aare, described Adams as a friend to Arewa and a personal friend.
He said he named one of his children after him because of his philanthropy.
The Aare-in-Council thanked Adams for his service to the Yoruba nation and wished him long life and a more prosperous reign.
The ceremony was attended by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by Akeem Ademola Ige; first daughter of the late Alaafin, Adenike Adeyemi; leader of the Itsekiri Omoluabi Forum, Patrick Doyle; and several traditional rulers.
