Aare Ona Kakanfo: Is Otunba Gani Adams Worthy?

BY ADEDARA ODUGUWA

After 19 years of the demise of Aare (Oshorun) Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (who died on the 7^th July, 1998), in a suspicious and mysterious circumstances, a new Aare Ona Kakanfo had emerged in Otunba Gani Adams on the 16^th of October, 2017.

Announcing this, the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi said “Adams is equipped by God with the vitality of youth, agility of the long distance runner, unblemished patriotism, and the wisdom of Solomon. His antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture are unquestionable and he has a clear vision of where the Nation (Yoruba) should be in its culture reawakening both at home and oversea.”

This news was thrilled with mixed reactions. While some quarters of people believed Mr. Adams doesn’t merit the new title, many others feel otherwise. Who should be crowned Aare Ona Kakanfo? What are the qualities expected in the Aare Ona Kakanfo? Is Aare Ona Kakanfo another spiritual or ceremonial title? Is the title reserved for a political gladiator or Military Strategist? Is Mr. Adams the most qualified candidate for the title?

Besides, many had argued that these questions are not quintessential anymore since Mr. Adams already emerged the new Generalissimo of Yorubaland. This pool of view questioned his worthiness, pedigree and merit. However, no matter the scales of measurement in this regard, what is vital is the requisite antecedent necessary for chosen a person as Aare Ona Kakanfo,  as enunciated by the monarch among which included; Manliness, courage and patriotic zeal. The three virtues respected in Yorubaland are benchmarks for selecting Yoruba’s Generalissimo. Hence, it would rather interest anyone to ask, using this scale, is there any Yorubaman that match up with Mr. Gani Adams among the present crops of Yoruba citizens around? Disappointedly, No one!

Aare Ona Kakanfo is not title for a gentleman, orator, intelligential, moralist, aristocrat, politician, richest, humble, man of peace, famous, loved, respected, godly character and obedient fellow. The title is reserved only for the courageous, obstinate, radical, rascal, patriotic, crazy war monger, fighter, hardworking, discipline, wise, strategist, youthful, powerful, feared, deadly, destructive character, demonic and a title reserved for the greatest Yoruba tactician.

Aare Ona Kakanfo is what an IG is to the Police force and Field Marshal is to the Army. Unlike other titles in Yoruba land i.e. Lisa, Balogun, Otunba, Losi, Apena and Oliwo that demands such unquestionable characters from their occupants. The title is not another ceremonial title that makes a person to be respected and famous. The core of the title is service, commitment, nobility and patriotism. No Aare Ona Kakanfo is expected to concede defeat, no matter what. If such happens, the Generalissimo is expected by tradition to commit suicide. Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba is expected to be committed to the Yorubas than to Hausas, Ibos or even Nigeria. He is expected to fight and fight only for the Yorubas. He is selected with selfish tenets of defending the Yorubas by all means and at all cost. Such man should not be cowed by strength of any superior army in the universe. He must be bold, courageous, fearless and dedicated to the defending Yoruba race from any foreign power that becomes a threat to Yoruba Sovereignty. Aare Ona Kakanfo shouldn’t know the laws but must know the boundaries. He should be ready to command his armies to fight in every three years (in those days) on command of the Alaafin and come back victoriously. It’s a title with physical and spiritual responsibilities, only meant for a warrior.

 

History of Aare Ona Kakanfo

Traditionally, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland is the head of the 70 Esos (the Alaafin Special Military Force) and the head of Yoruba Army. The title is reserved for the greatest Yoruba warrior in those days. Aare Ona Kakanfo of old were made to pass through rigorous spiritual cleansing such as shaving the head after which two hundred and one (201) Gberes (incisions) are made on the bald head with two hundred and one (201) different lancets. Specially prepared ingredients from two hundred and one viols are rubbed into the cuts, one for each. Consequently, the Aare Ona Kakanfo, after passing through this ritual becomes completely fearless, courageous, stubborn, obstinate and perhaps mean. Aare Ona Kakanfo is never a title for an ambitious politician, but for men of undiluted patriotism.

Historically, there have been fourteen  (14) Aare Ona Kakanfos before the emergence of Otunba Gani Adams (from Ondo State). They include;

1. Kokoro Gangan (Iwoye)
2. Oyatope (Iwoye)
3. Oyabi (Ajase)
4. Adeta (Jabata)
5. Oku (Jabata)
6. Afonja (Ilorin)
7. Toyeje (Ogbomoso)
8. Edun (Gbogun)
9. Amepo (Abemo)
10. Kurumi (Ijaye)
11. Ojo Aburumaku (Ogbomoso)
12. Latoosa (Ibadan)
13. Ladoke (Ogbomoso)
14. Abiola (Abeokuta)

Majority of the underlisted were brave warriors, committed Generals and fearless entities. However, during old Oyo Empire, Oyo indigenes or residents were never made Kakanfo because the Aare was not to give way to anyone, not even the Alaafin, if the need ever arose. By virtue of his office as Commander of the Yoruba nation’s Army, Aare Ona Kakanfo of old were required to go to war at least once in three years on the orders of the Alaafin. He must only return dead or alive within three months. That is, he is to return home victorious or be brought home as a corpse. Aare Ona Kakanfo must not suffer defeat and comeback home alive (if defeated). He is admonished by law to commit suicide when such happened. Ironically, as powerful and revered the office of Aare Ona Kakanfo is, majority of the title holders died mysteriously. Specifically, none of the last five Aare died peacefully (Kurumi, Ojo Aburumaku, Iyanda Asubiaro Latoosa, Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola). Obviously, this is more than just coincidence but fate.

 

Why Obasanjo Missed it?

Since demise of Aare MKO Abiola, a number of undisclosed persons have shown interest in the title. Chief among which included Chief [General] Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo, a man who had led Nigeria more than any Southerner since creation of Nigeria in 1960. Obasanjo, popularly called General Obasanjo by profession, was a trained and successful Army General. Who had won a number of wars for Nigeria on many occasions, the most prominent was the Civil War (1967-1970). By birth and profession, Obasanjo was qualified to be the next Aare of Yoruba land, since he hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State and a former Army General. However, on moral grounds, he missed the title. Why?

Obasanjo can be said to be one of the most successful politicians in Nigeria but his success was self-bound. He would rather be self-centered and support his Northern friends than any Yoruba man. Throughout his 11 years or so in Government (13 February 1976-30 September 1979 military head of state, and 1999-2007 Civilian President), Obasanjo more than any has contributed to the disunity of our people than any other. With his relatively long stay in Government, what has he done for the Yorubas? Further, Obasanjo joined the Northerners in 1979 to rig elections against the modern father of Yoruba nation after Oduduwa, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo.  Therefore, with such antecedents he missed the title of defender of Yoruba sovereignty. In fact, the Alaafin was right to have rejected all his lobbying from 1999 to date until the emergence of Otunba Adams.

The likes of Obasanjo would sell the Yorubas completely to our enemies if perchance, he was made the Aare Ona Kakanfo just as illustrated in the Proverbial YorubaRonu by Chief Hubert Ogunde referring to IkejiOye, who sold the Yorubas into Slavery. What was lacking in the revered General and the only Nigerian who had ruled this country three consecutive times was patriotism. Obasanjo can never be loyal to the Yorubas. Some of the Yoruba Obas also accused him of arrogance and hatred for anything that is Yoruba. Vindicating them, recently, the entire Yoruba people started the new song of Restructuring; Obasanjo as usual became the first to be against it. According to him, ‘what do they mean by restructuring… in fact, there is nothing to restructure.’Such person is not fit to be Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land. He is completely an Hausaman but born in Yoruba land. Don’t get me wrong, it is not bad to love your friends and Nigeria. Charity they say begins from home. You cannot ignore your family and embrace your neighbours. That is not ignorance but hypocrisy!

Gani Adams on the other hand, has always put all his interests to anything that is Yoruba culture and tradition. Although no one can overlook his excesses. Meanwhile, what qualifies him more for the position as explained by the Alaafin, Iku Baba Yeye include; his manliness, courage and patriotism. Also, this is one man that is known for fighting, radicalism and rascality. As stated in previous section, this qualifies him as the right man for this job. The fact that a lot of people see him as miscreant, hoodlum, powerful, metaphysical  and dangerous, could do nothing to tarnish his image but added to his scale of merit for the title. More so, it is important not to compare Otunba Gani Adams with the likes of Chief SL Akintola and Bashorun MKO Abiola. By tradition, the duo was never qualified to be given the title. Otunba Adams emergence is timely and right to correct the wrong of the past. Aare Ona Kakanfo is not a position reserved for a gentleman, innocent entity, godly and good fellow. It is a position reserved only for the master of the pulpit. Someone known for seeking peace through chaos and settling dispute through maiming. I have read several degrading reports in which Otunba Adams was previously involved all which further qualifies him for the job. In contrast, on more than five occasions I have met Otunba Adams attending one Yoruba event or the other. In these occasions, Otunba Adams was calm, easy and extremely friendly. I often wondered why Obasanjo and the likes would only want to associate themselves with the Yorubas only when there is vacancy of a Chieftaincy title. I even heard he bided for the Owu crown, but failed. Yorubas are the most intelligent people on earth, we pretend as if we see nothing, but we know everything. We know our friends and also our enemies.

Who is Gani Adams?

Oloye Gani Adams was born April 30, 1970 into the families of Pa Lamidi Adams and Late Madam Dada Adams (nee Aduloju), at Aigidi-Akoko (Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State). He attendedArmy Children’s School,Oturkpo, Benue State; Municipal Primary School,Surulere, Lagos (1980); Ansar-Ud-deen Secondary School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos and later joined an Italian Construction Company, VisinoniStabilini, Apapa, Lagos State where he learnt the trade of interior decoration. He later resigned from this company to start Gadson interior.

In 1992, due to the bastardization of the socio-political and economic life of Nigeria by the military juntas, Adams became an Active Pro-democratic activist in 1992 (aged 22) an event which led to his membership of Oodua Youth Movement, OYM- a pro-Yoruba self-determination group. He later became a foundation member of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) when it was formed in 1994 (aged 24). This made him the first Deputy National Coordinator of the group in this year.However, in 2003 (aged 33), Otunba Adams returned to school to bag a Diploma in Tourism Management from the International Aviation School, Tema, Ghana. Further, he obtained another diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University (LASU) and later a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the same University.

Otunba Adams as a believer of Yoruba culture and tradition, remains the sole sponsor of Olokun Festival Foundation, the only Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that is dedicated to promoting and preserving Yoruba culture and tradition. Supporting other Yoruba festivals such as: Eledumere Festival, Ijora Lagos; Ajagunmale Festival Lekki Lagos; Osun Oshogbo ;Olokun Festival , Badagy; Oya Festival Kwara State; Oke Ibadan Festival, Oyo State; Oodua Festival Ile-Ife; Olumo Festival , Abeokuta;Obatala Festival Oyo State; Oranmiyan Festival Oyo State; Okota Festival Ondo State; Oro Festival Iseyin Oyo State; Ogun Festival Ikorodu Lagos and Elegbara Festival Shasa, Lagos State.

Today Otunba Adams is the National Coordinator of the OPC with registered members in 78 countries of the world. However, in recognition of Otunba Adams’ contributions to the development and progress of Yorubaland, the gallant Generalissimo has been honoured with numerous Chieftaincy titles across Yorubaland. Among which included:

Otunba Arigidi Akoko (Ondo State); Ajagungbade of Oodua land (ANTP); Akinrogun of Erin Osun (Osun State); Ajagunla of Aala Land (Kwara State); Arogundade of Ode Omu (Osun State); Jagunmolu Olu-Ode of Ibadan land (Oyo State); Apagunpote of Igbeji land (Yewa Ogun State); Olunla of IIikimu (Benin Republic); Otunba Atayese of Igosun Ekiti (Ekiti State); Baba Isale Oja Daleko Market (Mushin Lagos State); Asoludero of Osogbo land (Osun State); Arogundade of Oodua land (Ogun State); Apase Oodua of Ojokoro land (Lagos State); Mayegun of Ijanikin; Bobaselu of Ado Kingdom; Seriki Adini of Arigidi Akoko land; Akinrogun of Iseyin land; Jagunmolu of Igangan land; Baba Oba of Agbamuland; Afetutu Soro Worldwide; Aare of Ibese land; Maiyegun of Oworo kingdom; Aare Akogun Atewonro of Ila Orangun; Bobagunwa of Igbehin land; Akinrogun of Ikorodu land; Apagunpote of Isheri Olofin Awori land; Agba-Akin of Ibereko Land; Aniyikaye of Ijero Ekiti land and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

Aare Gani Adams has won over 234 local and international Awards. With his emergence as the 15^th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, it is believed that the Yoruba nation will be united now than ever. Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi, Iku Baba Yeye , Igbakeji Orisa must have listen to the mysterious voice of gods by selecting this one man that doesn’t only fit for the job, but destined for this revered position. It is now the turn of historians to dust their jotters and pick up their pens to document this new account. Tell the Northerners and the Easterners, Yorubas now have a Generalissimo found in Chief Gani Adams! In other words, for the Fulani Herdsmen and the militants who invade Yoruba towns, this might be an end to such unholy occupation.

Congratulations to General Gani Adams!

Congratulations to the Yoruba nation!

 

Adedara is a culture enthusiast, social commentator and publicist who writes from Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: As.oduguwa@gmail.com