Gani Adams Crowned The 15th AARE ONA KAKANFO Of Yoruba Land By The ALAAFIN Of Oyo.

Gani Adams crowned as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

As part of activities marking the 47th corronation anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Alaafin of Oyo  was the installation of Otunba Gani Abiodun Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland in the ancient city of Oyo.

For the past 19 years that the last occupant of the position late Chief M.K.O Abiola died, the seat had been vacant. 

The position and roles of Aare Ona Kakanfo in Yoruba history cannot be over emphasized.

According to Yoruba history, the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo(the generalissimo) an equivalent of field marshal  in the army was introduced to Yoruba nation hundreds of years ago by Alaafin Ajagbo who ruled over 700 years past. The introduction of the title was informed by the need to fortify the ancient, pre-colonial Army of the old Oyo Empire. 

By culture, tradition and history, it is only Alaafin that has the prerogative to select, appoint and install Aare Ona Kakanfo. When late M.KO Abiola, the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo was to be installed, the exclusive power of Alaafin to appoint and install Aare Ona Kakanfo was challenged by some Yoruba Obas and eventually the judgment was in favour of Iku Baba Yeye, the Imperial Majesty. It is on record that the volunteering efforts and free legal representation by Chief Afe Babalola lent credence to the triumph of Alaafin in the legal battle and in appreciation of the legal luminary, Afe Babalola was installed as Baa mofin of Yorubaland by Iku Baba Yeye, the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition. 

 Aare Gani Abiodun Adams's selection according to Alaafin was in appreciation of his bravery, native intelligence, religious liberality, love for the Yoruba race and contributions to the protection of Yoruba core values and interest. Adams is the national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, but apart from this, he is involved in more eclectic enterprises. On the cultural plane, he is the organizer and founder of the yearly Olokun Festival, set up to honour the Yoruba goddess of the sea and wealth.

He is of the opinion that politics should not be left to politicians alone. He believes that the Yoruba people of Nigeria should be under only one regional government to maximize their advantage and advance their economic and cultural interests. 

 The fear that was expressed when Chief Moshood Abiola took the title in 1988 is still being voiced now that Adams is stepping into his shoes. The belief is that the Kakanfo would not die a peaceful death. However, it is on record that Ojo Aburumaku, who succeeded Kurumi as Kakanfo, died peacefully in his home at Ogbomoso.

In his speech, Aare Gani Abiodun Adams of Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State debunked the myths that Aare Ona Kakanfo usually dies in mysterious ways. His narration was corroborated by Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, the chairman installation ceremony committee that Aare can see Alaafin  or decide to  live in Oyo if he chooses after the installation .And he can live long and died peacefully without any calamity. 

With modernity and constitutional development in Nigeria, Aare Ona Kakanfo is expected to use intellect, wisdom, native intelligence and Yoruba diplomacy and tactics to defend the interest of Yoruba race. Aare Gani Adams by his educational attainment, exposure and knowledge of dynamics of Yoruba culture and tradition suitably qualified to occupy the seat.

More importantly, Aare Gani Adams is acknowledged globally for his pioneering roles in the formation of Olokun Festival Foundation, Oodua Progressive Union(OPU), a Yoruba socio-cultural group in the diaspora formed in the year 2011.

With his successful installation today as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, he assumes a new status and becomes a major factor when it comes to issues relating to Yoruba unity, protection of Yoruba cultural heritage and promotion of Yoruba interests. 

This is a grandbreaking achievement by Aare Gani Adams and we congratulate him.