Olayinka Ilori/
As Nigerians were out in numbers celebrating Workers’ Day at various venues on May 1, 2019, the massive hall of Times Square Events Centre on Ajao Street, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, in Lagos, was hosting a colourful party.
But the party, attended by prominent activists and representatives of various tribes across the country, had nothing to do with May Day.
The rainbow representation was in celebration of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, who just marked his 49th birthday.
He was variously described at the venue as a worthy ambassador, freedom fighter, a man of the people, and a hero of democracy.
“He’s a person I can go to the battle with, with my eyes closed. He’s committed, dogged, indefatigable, and he’s a promoter of culture,” the president of Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin announced at the event.
She added, “As a peace ambassador, he’s been able to refocus the Oodua Peoples’ Congress. He’s a man of his words. He remains a great live-wire for the survival of the Yoruba race. He’s one of the great gifts to humanity.”
There were prayers from several traditional rulers from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin at the event, including His Royal Majesty, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko; the representatives of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu of Lagos who sent his high chiefs with a message that was read expressing the monarch’s wishes that God should spare Aare Adams’ life till the age of 120 years.
State governments also sent goodwill messages delivered at the event.
The National President of Arewa United Consultative Forum (AUCF), Alhaji Shuaibu Ado Dansudu, described Aare Adams as a detribalized Nigerian and a great patriot.
Besides the accolades from the representatives of various tribes and tongues, the president of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Ladipo honoured Aare Gani Adams with the title of Life Patron of the club.
While conferring the title on Aare Adams who already has over 40 titles, Dr Ladipo said, “If at 49, Aare Gani Adams has done so much, he deserves this much. He has been propagating the culture of this country. Having looked all around the world for a patron, we appoint him as a life patron of the supporters club.”
Amid a steady flow of food and drink, the Oodua International Band and some cultural entertainers kept the party rocking before Nigerian pop star, Small Doctor, put the icing on the cake with a performance that raised the roof.
“For the past 19 years, the organization that I’m leading, Oodua Peoples’ Congress, started celebrating me on my birthday. That’s one of the reasons that I gave it a thought that we have to go beyond the organization; the family and well-wishers then got involved,” Aare Adams told the congregation.
Guests at the party included representatives from the Nigerian Army, the Police, the DSS, top media practitioners, and other well-wishers including Otunba Sobaloju Adeniyi, Fiwagboye of Iragbiji land; Prof Tunde Babawale, Dr Michael Adeshina, Hon. Nduka Anyanwu, Chief (Mrs) Adepeju Bakare, Lagos NURTW leader, MC Oluomo, and the NSCDC Commandant in Lagos, Alhaji Tajudeen Balogun.
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