The official installation of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland has been fixed for the 13th of January 2018.
This is contained in a terse statement issued on Sunday by Femi Adepoju, director of media to the Aare Designate.
“The palace of the Alaafin Of Oyo, the Iku Babayeye Ikeji Orisa, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has scheduled the installation ceremony of the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Otunba Gani Adams, as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo for the 13th of January 2018” it read.
“Full details of the installation program would be announced later”.
Adams was proclaimed the 15th Aare Ona kakanfo by the Alaafin on the 15th of October.
Explaining the choice, the Alaafin said the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, was chosen after considering his antecedents as a Yoruba man who had exhibited passion for defending his people, their culture and tradition.
He said, “The choice of Adams was well thought out before a decision was taken. He has shown enough charisma to deserve the honour.
“If you have been observing him in the past many years, Adams attends all Yoruba festivals, irrespective of where they are held. He also promotes our culture through so many means including his annual Olokun festival.
“I picked him because he loves the Yoruba race and all the culture and tradition of our people. He has contributed immensely to upholding them.
“Whenever he attends these festivals, he goes with a large entourage and financially, he is always responsible for the cost. He does not attend in order to benefit financially.
“He may be young but he is also very bold and courageous. These are traits synonymous with an Aare Ona Kakanfo. Adams is a Yoruba cultural enthusiast. He defends the race anywhere he goes. Among his strengths is that he has strong supporters in every town in Yorubaland through his Oodua Peoples Congress.
“Money or material wealth is not considered before choosing an Are Ona Kakanfo. Abiola promoted everything that had to do with Yoruba race. He was popular among his people and he was close to traditional rulers.
“Adams may not be as rich as Abiola but he has all the qualities an Aare Ona Kakanfo should possess. He also leads an organisation that is ever ready to defend the cause of the Yoruba race”, the monarch said
