Why Otunba Gani Adams Is Suited As The New Are Ona Kankanfo?
Who the cap fit let him wear it.
The history of a race is incomplete without defining its warriors that contributed to its greatness. Interestingly, such warriors are ordinary men and women with extraordinary abilities that differ from each other. But they do share common competency that makes us regard them as the keeper of history.
Every race has a title given to its warrior.
While Hausa called its own ‘Yaki’, Yoruba called its own ‘Are Ona Kakanfo’ (or Akinkanju), on the other hands, Igbo called its own ‘Onyeagha.’
Are Ona Kakanfo title in Yoruba race means warrior. In other way round, it means brave man and savior of his people.
The selection and emergence of the war-lord do not happen at will, rather hasten slowly. But, however, are subjected to intense scrutiny to choose from qualified candidates. Much as gold is refined thoroughly, these luminaries must be sieved in order withstand the test of time.
Alaafin of Oyo
The requirements are different from one race to another. Often time, courage is undoubtedly a factor, as the name implies.
Otunba Gani Adams now takes the mantle from M.K.O. Abiola, who was the former holder of the title. The latter is a household name.
Prior to the new position, he was the National coordinator Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, a Yoruba indigenous social group that promotes and fights for the survival of Yoruba nation, home and abroad. Also, he is the founder and promoter of Olokun Festival Organization worldwide.
Ever since his unveiling, the news has generated controversies in some quarters. Some unscrupulous people have been writing and making utterances to discredit Otunba Gani Adams as being unfit for the coveted title.
However, sighting reasons that he and his organization were broiled in the award of security of oil pipelines project during the last government regime that ended in its review, not too long ago.
Besides, the case was made regarding the impunity at which the members of the OPC carry out their operations, without due regard for the law of the land.
I beg to defer the above allegations. Because the OPC, as an organization, is established to secure lives and properties of Nigeria citizenry on realizing the ineptitude of the country’s security forces — Police.
So, they complemented the efforts of the Police rather than usurping its power.
As long as the security is concerned, the OPC has the jurisprudence to secure whatever the government deems fit for them as a project to handle.
The reason was given that OPC takes laws into their hands may exist only due to some crooks disguising as OPC members to foment trouble. Thus, the bad eggs do paint the organization in the bad light.
This is even common in the Nigeria Police, so this is not a fact but mere opinion.
Conclusively, now that the Alaafin, the Yoruba race paramount ruler, has considered the OPC leader, nay OPC organizations’ contributions, for the historic title, all hands must be on deck to support Otunba Gani Adams to succeed.
According to the legendary musician, Bob Marley says, “Who the cap fit, let them wear it.” So, Otunba Gani Adams might not be wealthy and philanthropic like the late mogul, M.K.O. Abiola, but he is courageous and visionary. That’s what matters!
