Gani Adams rejuvenates Yoruba culture in Europe
In far away Europe, Gani Adams scored another first as he breathed life into the Yoruba culture with his new Oodua Progressive Union, saving it from the threat of possible extinction. At the inauguration of the union in notable countries, Yoruba cultural displays were at their best. TUNDE BUSARI reports.
In a clear departure from his former personage as a freedom combatant in the dreaded Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams has transformed into Yoruba culture advocate with a mission to win back lost souls.
Western civilization in particular is said to have dealt a big blow to Yoruba culture as evident in the alarming extinction of the use of Yoruba language in most Yoruba homes. Yoruba traditional religions and festivals have allegedly suffered derision, and are branded pagan practice.
This informed Adams formation of Olokun Festival Foundation and lately Oodua Progressive Union.
While Olokun Festival Foundation, within a short period of operation, has made a mark in cultural revival across the length and breadth of the Yoruba nation, the latter is gradually gathering momentum with operational base in the Diaspora.
Hence Adams’ recent journey to some select European countries where he inaugurated the association remains green in the memory of attendees.
In France, Sweden and Cyprus, it was indeed a golden moment for the Yoruba race as the best of its cultural heritage were showcased to underscore why the treasure must be rescued from extinction.
Yoruba sons and daughters residing in the three countries came out in varieties of colourful attires. Their tight schedule notwithstanding, they were out in large numbers to identify with their own and savour cultural dance, poems and varieties of Yoruba foods on display. There was also cutting of the cake to commemorate the event in a modern way.
They also enjoyed a full dose of a one-man band hilarious show of ace comedian cum broadcaster, Yomi Mate, popularly known as Ifankaleluya in the entertainment circle.
“Our people in Europe are showing interest in what Otunba Gani Adams is doing out there. Being in their midst afforded me the opportunity to know this and appreciate better what Otunba Gani Adams stands for. We enjoyed ourselves as I, in my own little way, put smiles in their face when I was coordinating the programme.
“By and large, it was an experience that will last me for some time, especially because of the people I met and related with like Wale Ojo-Lanre of Nigerian Tribune,” Ifankaleluya said.
With the presence of Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, splendid in his full royal regalia, Croatia-Katarina Zrinski idrott-kultur forening, Kortedala, Idrottvag 15 41511, Gothenburg, the venue of the gathering was literally electrified.
Everyone was surging forward to pay homage to the monarch in accordance with Yoruba tradition, and to the amazement of non Yoruba guests in the hall. It was a beauty to behold as the Yoruba, irrespective of towns of origin, showered encomiums and respect at the monarch. In Cyprus, Oba Olanipekun gave royal blessings to the Yoruba, and also commended the rector and management of Eastern Mediterranean University for their reception and hospitality.
Adams, in his speech delivered by Captain Abiodun Adesina, stated that as a true son of Oduduwa, there was no better time to arrest the negative trend reducing Yoruba culture and value to the level of ordinary among the upcoming generation within and outside Nigeria.
Failure to rise to the challenge, he maintained, would incur the wrath of the generation yet unborn who would regret not meeting their cultural identity among their friends.
He said, “It is a task which if we fail to do will bring inter generational curses upon the present generation and denouncement by the next generation and generations yet unborn.”
Adams warned that if Africans in Diaspora turn a blind eye to what he dubbed the deliberate cultural imperialism allegedly championed by the Western world, the continent would live to regret it.
Adams also affirmed his readiness to defend the cultural integrity and heritage of the Oduduwa race without fear or favour. The task, he assured, is accomplishable, challenging parents to join hands with him in saving their children future embarrassment.
“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 fail to culturally identify themselves, which may subject them to ridicule and embarrassment as children of no culture, no tradition, no value nor identity.”
Nigeria Ambassador to Sweden, Benedict Onochie-Amobi, commended Adams for his tireless efforts. Represented by a senior officer of the embassy, the ambassador described Adams as the only Nigerian who has strongly stoked the embers of Nigeria’s cultural revival on the international scene, and in particular among Nigerians in Diaspora.
“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 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.”
The France event held at Boulevard De Liberation, St Denis, Paris, had in attendance Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, His Excellency Hakeem Olawale, who was represented by the Head of Chancery, Olumide Olowo.
Members of OPU from Holland, Britain, Austria, Spain, USA and South-Africa converged on the venue, and enjoyed a reunion with their kiths and kin.
“The OPU France chapter’s inauguration was made livelier not only by the arrays of Yoruba musicians who were ferried from all over Europe to France, but also the act of Ifankaleluyah, who flew all the way from Lagos to add value of purpose to the inauguration.
“Prayers were offered to God in accordance with the tradition of OPC, which gives glory to the creator of heaven and earth in the three dominant religions, traversing the land of Oduduwa, Islam, Christianity and traditional religion,” attested Wale Ojo-Lanre, Tourism Editor of Nigerian Tribune, who was part of the delegates.
Speaking through his representative, Mr. Olowo, the ambassador also showered encomium on Adams for giving the Yoruba in the Diaspora a sense of belonging.
The first ever ANKARA Festival with the theme “Exploring Our Cultural Heritage for Excellence’ held. Amid fanfare, the festival drew a large number of Nigerian students in Cyprus, majority of whom were meeting Oba Olanipekun for the first time.
Leadership of different chapters of OPU in Europe were no less impressed by Adam’s wake up effort on them. They all eulogised him for symbolising a new hope for the future of Yoruba culture and tradition. The coordinator, OPU, Sweden chapter, Mr. Victor Mobolaji Adewale, commended him for protecting Yoruba heritage in 52 countries.
His France chapter counterpart, Prince Aladeloye Akinloye Hakeem, also admonished Adams and expressed the gratitude of his chapter with an assurance to keep the culture flag flying in their respective places.
Meanwhile, the first conference of OPU in Nigeria holds on January 26 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja. The conference is expected to be attended by members of the union across the world.
According to Adams, the conference is aimed at discussing issues of interest with a view to charting a course for the advancement of the union
