•Adams
Gani Adams promotes Yoruba heritage in Europe
To take Yoruba culture and identities worldwide, Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) National Coordiantor Otunba Gani Adams has inaugurated three chapters of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in France, Sweden and Cyprus. With the inauguration, the list of countries where OPU is has risen to 52. In Sweden, the inauguration was held at Gothenburg, attended by over 2,500 Yoruba and their friends.
The inauguration of the France Chapter was held at Boulevard De Liberation, St Denis, Paris. Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, His Excellency Hakeem Olawale, was represented by the Head of Chancery, Olumide Olowo.
Otunba Adams, who was represented by a delegation led by the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun said: “It is imperative on us, as true sons of Oduduwa to rise up and quash the scientific and systematic obliteration of the pristine Yoruba cultural heritage and value, particularly among the new generation of the Yoruba in the Diaspora.”
Also in the delegation were Captain Abiodun Adesina, Chairman, Freelance Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) Lagos Chapter, Mr Abiodun Abayomi Mate and two other journalists.
He noted that it is a task, which if ‘we fail to do, will bring upon the present generation generational curses and denouncement by the next generation and generations yet unborn.’
In a speech by Captain Adesina, Otunba Adams said any race which out of sheer carelessness, irresponsible despondency and unbridled complacency allows cultural imperialism, vogue, modernisation and social indoctrination to wash away its intrinsic cultural heritage, traditional values, norms and mores, will heap on itself irremediable generational curse and odium from generations yet unborn.’
“And I cannot be part of this generation and allow this omen to come to fruition; hence, I have taken this burden of Yoruba cultural rejuvenation, sustainability and enhancement upon myself in alliance with you all.
“Some of you may be complacent and careless about your children embracing other people’s cultures without having a grasp of your own. It may be expedient now, but very soon, the children will have cause to blame and even curse you by the time they failed to culturally identify themselves, which may subject them to being ridiculed and embarrassed as children of no culture, no tradition, no value and identity,” he added.
Otunba Adams, however, warned that if Africans in the Diaspora fail to aggressively address the deliberate cultural imperialism being launched in a systematic destructive process by the western world in the name of vogue and modernism, the continent will wake up one day to find out that its culture and values have been obliterated from the socio- cultural map of the world.
Continuing, he said: “This is why we have inaugurated the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in 52 countries of the world and we will not rest until OPU is launched any where under the firmament where the scion of Oduduwa lives and recreates.
“On my own, I have decided to defend the cultural integrity and heritage of the Oduduwa race without entertaining any fear or favour.
“The task of revamping, resuscitating and rejuvenating of the cultural identity, norms and moral traditional values which distinguish the Yoruba race from the others is necessary accomplished mission. It is in this line that I urge all of us to see the intrinsic necessity in teaching our children our culture, tradition, values and mores. These are what make and distinguish us from others.”
The event witnessed colourful presentation of Yoruba cultural dance, poems, display of Yoruba cuisines, cutting of the cake by OPU members in Sweden spiced by rib-cracking jokes from Mate, aka, Ifa-nkalelluyah.
The Nigeria Ambassador to Sweden, His Excellency, Benedict Onochie-Amobi, who was represented by Mrs Jane Ndem described Otunba Adams as the standard light bearer of Nigerian cultural asset in the global forum.
The ambassador noted that without any point of equivocation and bias, Otunba Adams is the only Nigerian, who has strongly stoked the embers of Nigeria’s cultural revival on the international scene and in particular among Nigerians in the Diaspora.
The Ambassador said the embassy was not only proud of the vision and activities of Otunba Adams in the area of cultural rejuvenation and resuscitation, but happy that a Nigerian is going all over Europe showcasing the cultural heritage of his race.
“This singular move of Otunba Adams at showcasing the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race in Europe is setting in motion cultural revivalism among other Nigerian ethnic groups in the Diaspora.
“We are happy about this development, which is calling the attention of our people to the predicament, which our pristine culture, norms, values and traditional orientation are in, and ringing a wake up bell for all to hear and act. This is a new dimension to cultural nationalism and patriotism which is commendable.”
Onochie-Amobi assured Otunba Adams of the fullest support of the embassy, saying: “I am happy that the objective of OPU tallies perfectly with cross–cultural relation one of the reasons why Nigeria maintains an Embassy here.
“Your association apart from reviving and sustaining the Yoruba culture is also showcasing and selling Nigeria as a country of very rich diverse culture for tourism purposes.”
Coordinator, OPU, Sweden Chapter, Mr Victor Mobolaji Adewale called on his members to remain focussed in the pursuit of the objectives of the union.
He commended Otunba Adams for rising stoutly in defence of the cultural integrity and protecting the heritage of Oduduwa children from being consigned to the dust bin of forgetfulness and ocean of irremediable damage by invoking a cultural revolution, which has spread through 52 countries of the world.
