Otunba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, kicked against the bestowment of prestigious Yoruba titles to non-Yorubas, noting that such act negates the Yoruba ancestral culture.
Adam’s comments came a few days after Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of Kano State, and his wife Hafsat were honored as the Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadan land.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit to Jimoh Olanipekun, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Gani Adams said it is against Yoruba custom to grant significant titles to non-natives and that such should be widely discouraged.
He asserted that Yoruba people can close security gaps in the region through the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), which he leads, in response to the growing insecurity and unease in the country.
“I am pleased to tell Kabiyesi that efforts are on to build a workable synergy between the local security and the government agencies,” he said.
“We are ready to partner with the south-west governors to brace up the security architecture of the region.
Read: Yoruba Unity Is Not Negotiable – Ooni Ogunwusi
“Kabiyesi should help tell our traditional rulers to save our tradition from going into extinction. The idea of giving prominent Yoruba titles to the non-Yoruba is at variance with Yoruba culture and tradition.”
In his remark, the Ataoja of Osogbo stated that in order to address security issues affecting the Yoruba speaking region, states in the south-west require “spiritual” help.
The king expressed concern about the south-security west’s security issues and added that the recent attack on St. Francis Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state, is another factor contributing to his increased worry.
“I am happy the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land is here and I want to appeal to him to save our land from these terrorists,” he said.
“The south-west is boiling at the moment and it is only when we get ourselves prepared physically and spiritually that we can rid our region of terrorists that have invaded the region.”
Check Also: Bigger than Africa: Tales of the Yoruba people
