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Tag: gani adams

  • Igangan killings: North has declared war on South-West, Yorubas won’t remain silent – Gani Adams

    Igangan killings: North has declared war on South-West, Yorubas won’t remain silent – Gani Adams

    Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Sunday said with the killing of over 50 people in Igangan town, Ibarapa, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, it is evident that war is imminent in the country.

    Adams, while condemning the gruesome murder of innocent residents of the town, warned Fulani herdsmen and bandits to stay away from the southwest or be ready to face stiff resistance.

    The killings in the early hours of Sunday brought the entire Igangan town and its environs to its knees with over 50 people dead, cars burnt and over 20 houses razed.

    After news of the killings and destruction filtered in, with gory videos of the massacre, Adams said the North had waged war against the Southwest.

    Makinde reacts as gunmen invade Igangan, kill scores

    He said the North had unleashed terror on the region, stressing the need for the people to rise and defend themselves “without looking back”.

    “In a situation like this, you rise and defend yourself. Where are the police when the bandits started killing our people in Igangan today?

    “Even the palace of Asigangan of Igangan land, Oba Adewuyi Olaoye, was not spared and the monarch, according to reports had been whisked away by the bandits.

    “Three days ago, the Director-General of Oyo State Southwest Security Network Amotekun, Gen. Kunle Togun(Retd) raised the alarm that herdsmen had invaded the southwest.

    “I corroborated his statements and called for urgent surveillance across the southwest. Now with the recent onslaught on Igangan people, it is evident that the Fulani herdsmen are on a predetermined mission to kill, maim and decimate the southwest.

    Insecurity: God‘ll not forgive Buhari if Nigeria goes to war – Gani Adams

    “This is one killing too many, I will not fold my arms seeing the blood of innocent people being shed like it is in Igangan.

    “Now that North had declared war on the Southwest, we will never silent or compromise on the homicide going on in the southwest. I want to charge all the governors in the Southwest, as well as the traditional rulers to rise to this occasion.”

    The Yoruba generalissimo warned criminal herders to stay away from the region, as the Southwest can no longer accommodate killers. OPC and other local security operatives will continue to ensure that the region is safe for residents.

    “Those killed in Igangan town have their families and friends, there is blood flowing in their veins and in a moment their lives were cut short by killer herdsmen and bandits in their home”.

    Adams disclosed that information at his disposal indicates that bandits and killer herdsmen have invaded the Southwest thus pushing the security outfits to the wall.

    He urged all governors to beef up the security of their respective states to provide adequate security for the people of the region.

  • Oduduwa Republic: Yoruba people are ready to die in pursuit of our nation – Gani Adams

    Oduduwa Republic: Yoruba people are ready to die in pursuit of our nation – Gani Adams

    Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, has said people of the Yoruba extraction are ready to die in the push to actualise Oduduwa Republic.

    Adams said some people of the Southwest are determined to pursue Oduduwa Republic.

    Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the former Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, leader said the Southwest reserves the legitimate right to struggle for Oodua Republic.

    Adams also lamented that the struggle has been hijacked by top politicians in the region.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that some people are determined to weaken the spirit of the agitators. Unfolding events in the last few weeks have shown that some prominent politicians have hijacked the struggle for the actualisation of the O’odua Republic.

    “It is an attempt to distract us from the true and original intention of the struggle.

    “But I want to say it here that the struggle to seek a new nation is the legitimate rights that we are determined to live and die for and we wouldn’t waiver in our beliefs and determination to liberate our race.”

  • Gani Adams urges S/West governors to promote Yoruba culture

    Gani Adams urges S/West governors to promote Yoruba culture

    The Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on Southwest governors to invest in the promotion of Yoruba culture and harness its tourist potential for economic growth and global recognition.

    Adams said that the promotion of the culture would turn Yoruba states to tourist destinations and thereby enhance rapid social and economic development of the area.

    The Aare, who made the call at the Grand Finale of `Omituntun’ Pacesetter Festival of Arts and Culture, tagged ‘Asa wa, Ipile wa,’ maintained that Yoruba was rich in culture and tradition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival, held at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan, was organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

    He described the cultural festival as significance which would help in the promotion of peace and tranquility in the state and the nation as a whole.

    Adams urged the Oyo State Government to develop and maintain all the existing tourist destinations in the state for economic growth and global recognition.

    “We are fast losing our identity, even our children, it’s becoming difficult for them to speak Yoruba language, and it’s becoming difficult to identify with our culture.

    “Instead of them to identify with our culture they promote Western culture, they have pride in it and this is very dangerous.

    “We need to start working on the promotion of culture and turn it to tourism potential and upgrade our destination so that the generation that is coming can be proud,” Adams said.

    Earlier, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said that the motive of the cultural festival was for the rejuvenation and promotion of culture, talent hunt through cultural competition.

    According to him, it is also aimed to give Yoruba culture the recognition it deserves worldwide.

    “I realised that the last time they had any cultural festival was about 10 years before I came to office, which means throughout eight years of the last administration they didn’t do anything like this.

    “I said that we should do something and we wanted to do it last year but unfortunately it was postponed because of COVID-19 concerns.

    “This year, I said whatever will happen I must do it. This one is unique in the sense that this will be the first time that we are having a festival of culture and tourism in Oyo State,” Olatunbosun said.

    NAN reports that the festival featured cultural display by various groups, associations, local councils in different areas of development.

    Some of the participants carted away prizes in various games and competitions include `Ayo olopon’, drama, masquerade, music and dance, poetry and chant rendition.

  • Odumakin: Yoruba lost a gem, gifted soul, dependable ally – Gani Adams

    Odumakin: Yoruba lost a gem, gifted soul, dependable ally – Gani Adams

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Saturday said that the death of Yinka Odumakin, Spokesman of Pan Yoruba Socio-Cultural group, Afenifere, depleted Yoruba gems, gifted souls and dependable allies.

    Gani, in a statement in Lagos by his Media Aide, Kehinde Aderemi, described Odumakin’s demise on Saturday as one death too many.

    Adams said he received the news of the Odumakin’s death with shock and trepidations, describing it as a big loss to the Yoruba nation.

    “Death has dealt the Yoruba nation a big blow, leaving in its wake, sad memories of the loss of a brother, a friend and dependable ally,” Gani said.

    He described the late Odumakin as a true Yoruba son, a committed fellow, and the voice of the people, especially, the downtrodden.

    “We will all miss his voice. We will miss his commitment, we will miss is bravery because the late Yinka Odumakin’s fearless image loomed larger than what we can easily forget in a hurry.

    “He was a phenomenon that spoke truth to power. He cut a picture of an all-rounder, a media personage, an analyst and public commentator that had warmed himself to the hearts of many people

    “His exit had left a big vacuum in the social and political space and Nigerians will always remember him for who he was, because in his life, the late Odumakin was truly one of the few gifted soul of our race.

    “The extent of the shocking news for me has been inexplicable. It will take a very long time for me to accept the realities of his death,” the Aare said.

    Gani said that late Odumakin and himself were in the struggle together, saying that they both shared so many memories together.

    He said: “I am very close to the family. So, for me, it was a personal loss and I wish my sister, his wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and the deceased relatives well, especially at this trying moments.

    “For the Yoruba nation, and Afenifere as a whole, Odumakin’s imprints will always be in the book of history.

    “As much as his death was so rude and shocking, we are consoled that the man died, though, very young, he will be remembered for his invaluable contributions to the development of Nigeria and the Yoruba nation in particular.”

    The late political activist and spokesman of pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, reportedly died of complications from COVID-19 at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja,aged 56.

  • Peace won’t reign in Nigeria until we amend 1999 constitution – Gani Adams

    Peace won’t reign in Nigeria until we amend 1999 constitution – Gani Adams

    Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, says the 1999 constitution (as amended) is “satanic and wicked” while stressing that until it is amended Nigeria may not know peace.

    Adams said this on Wednesday when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

    The Aare Ona kakanfo of Yorubaland said the country is being run on the basis of a wrong structure.

    “The major problem now is that Nigeria is being run on the basis of a wrong structure, Nigeria is being run on the basis of a wrong constitution,” he said.

    “The constitution of 1999 is wicked, it is satanic. If we don’t correct it, I can’t guarantee peace will reign in this country.”

    While commenting on the order issued by Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, he said herders operating illegally should vacate the forest reserves of the state.

    Adams said the governor as the chief security officer of the state must “take the bull by the horn” to protect his people.

    “If the governor did not give the eviction, would the federal government have agreed for the governors’ forum to hold a meeting with the Ondo state government with south-west governors?” Adams asked.

    “The Miyetti Allah would call the executive to meeting. So as a leader, as a chief security officer, you must took the bull by the horn and if he did not give that notice they won’t allow the governor to ban open grazing.”

    He said the insecurity in the north-west and north-east would not be allowed in the Yoruba land, adding that Yorubaland is the commercial hub of the country.

    “We cannot allow what is happening in the north-east, north-west, even in the middle-belt to happen in Yoruba land,” he said.

    “Don’t forget that Yoruba land is the commercial hub of this country, the economic nerve of this country. So, the federal government must know the implication of security threat in Yoruba land.”

     

  • Gani Adams backs Sunday Igboho, issues warnings to Miyetti Allah, ACF

    Gani Adams backs Sunday Igboho, issues warnings to Miyetti Allah, ACF

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams has warned Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Arewa Consultative Forum not to turn the South West into a war zone.

    Adams said this in a press statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi.

    “The apex organisation in the North and the herders association should watch their statements or face the wrath of the Yoruba nation .

    “By their inciting statements, the North is beating war drums. But we will resist any attempt by the North to turn our region into war zones and no amount of threat will stop us from securing our region from killer herdsmen.

    “From my findings, what is playing out in the last three days ( especially on the social media ), it is evident that there are some enemies and political elements both within and outside our region who are now using the bravery of Sunday Igboho as a coordinated attempt to soil my name , and also put my efforts in the past 28 years in the struggle to test.

    “My silence in the last three days doesn’t portray me as a coward, but by virtue of my position as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, I am bound by my conscience and conviction to act accordingly when the time is right . And I must also consult widely before taking any action.

    “What Igboho said was not even as damaging to the sanctity of the nation than ( sic ) the call for civil war by the ACF and the Miyetti Allah put together .

    “The killer herdsmen are the major problem but sadly the Federal Government remains silent.

    “There are reports that the Fulani herdsmen have, in the past five years , killed over 300 Yoruba people from different communities while several other people have been kidnapped with victims paying several billion as ransom.

    “The Fulani, in their conqueror agenda since 1818 had caused a lot of damage to the southwest .

    And it is clear that the south is their target, that is why anybody going against the Fulani herdsmen automatically becomes their enemy, ”he said.

  • No need for reconciliation with Obasanjo, I can’t go to his house – Gani Adams

    No need for reconciliation with Obasanjo, I can’t go to his house – Gani Adams

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has reacted to last Wednesday’s statement credited to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying that his (Adams’) past ways negated his (Obasanjo’s) principles and standards.

    Media reports stated last week that a reconciliatory meeting between Obasanjo and Adams held in the Lagos residence of a notable leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

    Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, was arrested during Obasanjo administration in September 2001 by the police for alleged violence in some parts of the country linked to his group.

    But Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, after the meeting on Wednesday, said he didn’t visit the residence of Adebanjo for a reconciliatory meeting with the Aare of Ona Kakanfo.

    He said, “I have no quarrel wit­h Gani Adams, but for­ his past way of life­ which was not in acc­ord with my standards­ and principles. I have in the past, both­ in government and ou­t of government, refu­sed to grant Gani’s r­equest to visit me.If at all anybody fee­ls I have a quarrel w­ith him or her that needs reconciliation, ­such reconciliation w­ill, no doubt, take p­lace in my residence ­in Abeokuta only.”

    In his reaction at a press conference today, Adams said he had yet to understand what Obasanjo meant by “his past way of life.”

    He said, “I don’t know what Baba Obasanjo meant by my way of life. I agree with him that we don’t have the same character because he’s not a progressive. Obasanjo will not like the character of any progressive Nigerian. I have never at anytime requested to meet Obasanjo as he claimed. I initially didn’t want to attend the meeting when Chief Ayo Adebanjo told me. But I decided to honour the invitation because Chief Adebanjo is one the Yoruba elders I respect so much.

    “He (Obasanjo) stated in his statement that whoever feels he needs a reconciliatory meeting with him should come to his residence in Abeokuta. I don’t have the need for any reconciliatory meeting with him. That one has been foreclosed. I cannot even go to his house.”

  • Obasanjo reacts on alleged rift, reconciliation with Gani Adams

    Obasanjo reacts on alleged rift, reconciliation with Gani Adams

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to reports that he had a misunderstanding with the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams.

    The former president said the speculation was because he refused to grant Gani Adams’ request to visit him, when he was president and after he left the office.

    Obasanjo said he had a reservation for Adams’ past way of life,­ which he said, was not in acc­ordance with his standards­ and principles.

    Obasanjo said his meeting with Adams at the residence of a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Le­kki was not on a reconciliatory mission.

    Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, said he paid a visit to Adebanjo, but, met Adams there.

    The statement was titled “No fight to warrant r­econciliation with Ad­ams – Obasanjo”.

    The statement read, “My attention has been­ drawn to some public­ations reporting an a­cclaimed reconciliati­on between Gani Adams­ and myself at the re­sidence of Chief Ayo ­Adebanjo in Lagos tod­ay.

    “It is true that I pai­d a personal visit to­ Chief Ayo Adebanjo a­t his residence in Le­kki Phase 1 on Decemb­er 2, 2020 and I met ­Gani Adams there.

    “I have no quarrel wit­h Gani Adams, but for­ his past way of life­ which was not in acc­ord with my standards­ and principles. I h­ave in the past, both­ in government and ou­t of government, refu­sed to grant Gani’s r­equest to visit me.

    “If at all anybody fee­ls I have a quarrel w­ith him or her that n­eeds reconciliation, ­such reconciliation w­ill, no doubt, take p­lace in my residence ­in Abeokuta only.”

  • Gani Adams welcomes twins

    Gani Adams welcomes twins

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Tuesday welcomed a set of twins into his family at a private hospital in Lagos.

    Adams made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

    He said his wife, Mrs Mojisola Adams, delivered of a set of twins, a boy and a girl, on Tuesday night, saying that the mother and the babies were in good condition.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo expressed gratitude to God for the gift, saying it was purely a gift from God.

    He said: “With the new addition of twins to my immediate family, I am happy that God has singled me out for his blessing.

    “This is especially, at this time. I am most grateful that the Lord has done for me what seems very impossible.

    “More importantly, I want to also appreciate everybody that have been sending greetings and words of prayers to me since the birth of my twins. I am very grateful to the almighty God.’’

    Adams said his residence in Omole Phase 2 in Lagos had been witnessing a significant increase in the number of well-wishers and guests.

    He said the well-wishers had come to share in the joy of the newborn babies.

  • Explosions in South-West states targeted – Gani Adams

    Explosions in South-West states targeted – Gani Adams

    Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, on Sunday said the three recent explosions which occurred in three different states in South-West region of the country, in the spate of three weeks, went beyond the ordinary as claimed by the government, calling on the Federal Government to launch a proactive investigation into them without further delay.

    Adams made this call in a statement in reaction to the latest blast in Akure, the Ondo State capital, declaring that Yorubas were not convinced that it was an ordinary blast, but suspected to be bomb blast, which must be duly investigated.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo described the Akure incidence as unfortunate, saying “it is coming at this trying period of coronavirus across the globe,” emphasising that, investigation at his disposal had it that, those behind the bomb blast were now targeting other South-West states, hence the need for all governors and indigenes to be at alert.

    “We are not convinced that, all these are ordinary blasts, but bomb blasts and, therefore, it is important and necessary for the government to carry out a proactive investigation on these incidents which occurred in a spate of three weeks in Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo States,” Adams said.

    “South-West governors should be vigilant. Information at our disposal has it that, other South-West are the next target. The Federal Government should diligently investigate the incidences,” Adams added.

    Buttressing his claim, with Lagos blast, Iba Adams said from records, a pipeline fire was expected to burn houses, and not uprooting houses from the foundation as it occurred in the state, declaring: “In view of that, it was beyond pipeline burst, but bomb blast.”

    The Aare also posited that the Ekiti incident was of the same pattern, which should not be attributed to ordinary blast, stressing that the pattern was becoming rampant in South-West, and, therefore, the need for government not to fold its arm before things got out of hand.

    “I was at the Lagos incident, and I am not convinced that, it’s ordinary pipeline fire. From history, if there is a pipeline incident, the fire will only consume building and destroy properties and not pull down buildings to its foundation. Also on the Ondo State incident, we are not convinced about the commissioner of police submission,” he argued.