AN OPEN MESSAGE TO CONGRATULATE AND CELEBRATE THE ARE ONAKAKANFO OF YORUBALAND, IBA GANI ABIODUN IGE ADAMS, ON HIS 8TH YEAR OF CORONATION

By

Dr. Simon Wale Olatunji

The Celebrant: Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams — frontier activist, astute politician, traditional aristocrat, and the 15th Are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland;

Distinguished Royal Fathers;

Eminent Sons and Daughters of Oodua;

Respected Guests and Friends of the Yoruba People Across the World;

Introduction: Rekindling the Yoruba Spirit in a Time of Trial

It gives me great honor and spiritual joy to celebrate and congratulate a living symbol of Yoruba courage, unity, and cultural continuity on this auspicious occasion of his 8th year of coronation — Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, the 15th Are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland.

In these eight years, the Aare has stood not merely as a titleholder, but as a sentinel of history and destiny, walking the delicate path between tradition and modernity, culture and politics, peace and resistance. Today, we salute not just the man, but the mission his life continues to embody.

The Yoruba Heritage: A Beacon Dimming in Conflict

Our ancestors bequeathed to us a civilization that predated and outlived many empires. The Yoruba have always been known for wisdom, valor, industry, and spirituality. From Ifẹ̀ to Ọ̀yọ́, Ìjẹ̀ṣà to Ẹ̀gbá, and beyond, our people have profoundly shaped philosophy, governance, commerce, art, and religion. The world acknowledges Yoruba resilience and refinement.

Yet today, that ancient flame flickers under the strain of internal and external storms.

We must speak the truth with courage:

- The Yoruba language — once the fountain of poetic pride and parental instruction — is being replaced in our homes and schools by borrowed tongues that do not sing our proverbs.

- Our chieftaincy and obaship institutions, once revered as pillars of wisdom, unity, and justice, are weakened by political infiltration and unhealthy rivalries among our obas.

- Our youth — heirs of great empires — are caught in the web of economic frustration, insecurity, and cultural disconnection, while many of our best minds flee abroad in the “Japa” spirit.

- Worse still, our ancestral lands face increasing pressure from infiltration, land grabbing, and subjugation—threats that aim not only to seize our soil but to silence our soul.

On this anniversary, Iba Gani Adams, one piercing question stands before us: Is this the vision our forebears fought for? Is this the future that history entrusted to us in expectation?

Are Onakakanfo: The Symbol of Resistance and Renewal

As we honor your achievements and courage, we are reminded that the title of Are Onakakanfo is not ceremonial — it is existential. It is both a sword and a shield, a burden as much as a blessing. Historically, the Are was the first to march and the last to retreat — the one who stood when kings vacillated, whose honor was bound to the safety and sovereignty of his people.

In these eight years, you, Iba Gani Adams, have echoed that legacy — sometimes misunderstood, sometimes maligned, but never ignored. You have rebuilt networks of Yoruba cultural institutions, championed security, advocated for unity, and projected the Yoruba identity to both national and global audiences.

Yet, dear Aare, the journey is far from complete. Yorubaland needs more than celebration — it calls for vision, strategy, and moral as well as spiritual renewal. The Aare must now evolve from being merely the defender of culture to the chief architect of a Yoruba renaissance, especially in this postmodern era of moral collapse and eroded dignity within our traditional and political frameworks.

The Charge: Rekindling the Yoruba Consciousness

In Yoruba cosmology, the eighth year holds deep spiritual significance. It symbolizes completion, abundance, harmony, and renewal. The number eight often marks transition — a passage to maturity and divine restoration.

Aare, there is no better moment than now to step into this renewed calling. Your position demands bold leadership, discerning wisdom, and steadfast courage. The Yoruba people continue to look to you for unity, protection, and hope. Continue to embody the spirit of our ancestors. Let your voice remain strong and your actions a continual witness to the greatness we have inherited. The trumpet of destiny sounds again — rise to the moment and lead with conviction and honor.

Yorubaland awaits your direction to:

1. Champion Yoruba Unity Beyond Thrones

The prevailing rifts among obas, chiefs, and traditional councils have corroded our moral and cultural fabric. In the spirit of Odùduwà, convene a Pan-Yoruba Council of Kings, apolitical and focused on reconciliation, revival, and strategic coordination.

2. Preserve and Enforce Yoruba Language and Culture

Our children must not lose their linguistic identity. Collaborate with cultural bodies and state institutions to restore Yoruba as a compulsory language in schools and as a vibrant medium in entertainment, innovation, and governance. A people that lose their language are already half-forgotten.

3. Defend the Land and Secure the People

The silence of the forest is the farmer’s greatest peril. Partner with governors, lawful security agencies, and traditional guards to **protect Yoruba land from occupation, terrorism, and illegal encroachment.** Let every Yoruba person feel safe on the soil of his ancestors.

4. Mentor the Next Generation

The Aare must raise other lion hearts. Through the Oodua Progressive Union and similar platforms, **identify, empower, and mentor young leaders** in culture, entrepreneurship, technology, and civic leadership.

5. Modernize Heritage

Heritage must wear new clothes if it is to walk into the future. Invest in digital archives, cultural initiatives, and media platforms that preserve and broadcast Yoruba art, history, and festivals globally.

A Question for Our Generation

While we celebrate your courage, vision, and devotion, Aare Gani Adams, it is fitting to ask ourselves: Where is our Yoruba pride when we trade our culture for spectacle, our unity for politics, and our identity for imitation?

The words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo echo prophetically:

> “The Yoruba are destined by divine providence to illuminate the path of Africa and of all black peoples everywhere.”

Shall we allow that light to be dimmed by complacency and imitation?

It is indeed troubling to see our culture diluted, our values compromised, and our crown diminished by rivalry and politicized ambition. Some of our traditional rulers seek validation through external alliances rather than drawing from the deep well of our indigenous wisdom. Healthy diversity is our strength, but destructive rivalry weakens our common destiny.

We must reclaim our Yoruba dignity and self-awareness. Let us honor our ancestors, revive our language, and restore the nobility of our traditional leadership. We must think beyond the noise of politics and rediscover the moral discipline that defines the Omolúàbí spirit.

This generation must rise — not with violence, but with wisdom, solidarity, and spiritual courage. The Aare has walked many miles; now, it is time for the people to march beside him.

Conclusion: Remember and Reenact Who We Are

Iba, as you look ahead to many more years of fruitful leadership and coronation anniversaries, duty continues to call. History reminds us that we are not merely descendants of warriors — we are Ọmọluàbí, the offspring of Odùduwà — people of courage, honor, and creativity.

We have survived wars, slavery, colonialism, and betrayal — yet we live, we rise, and we thrive. Let us therefore stand tall and embrace the legacy of greatness entrusted to us. Let our pride in our heritage fuel innovation, unity, and moral restoration across Yorubaland and the diaspora. Let the following multifaceted responses mark the future of the Yoruba nation:

- Unity and Collaboration: Foster dialogue among traditional rulers — from the Ooni of Ife to the Alaafin of Oyo — in a spirit of cooperation and shared destiny.

- Cultural Preservation: Promote youth engagement, diaspora links, and cultural diplomacy.

- Economic Empowerment: Leverage Nigeria’s evolving political landscape to attract investment and foster growth in Yoruba states.

- Progressive Advocacy: Work with government and private stakeholders to address existential challenges like insecurity, poverty, and cultural erosion.

- Youth Development: Empower the next generation through education, skill acquisition, and moral upbringing.

- Cultural Renaissance: Revive Yoruba traditions, festivals, and linguistic pride through education and public platforms.

We are more than survivors — we are builders and visionaries, and our time is now!

So once again, on this 8th coronation anniversary, I say with profound pride:

Long live Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams!

Long live the Are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland!

Long live the great and illustrious Yoruba Nation!

May the God of our fathers, He who guided our ancestors and bestowed you with this sacred duty, strengthen your hand, sharpen your vision, and crown your leadership with peace, honor, and enduring legacy.