Journalists body unveils two books on Aare Gani Adams

As part of efforts aimed at reawakening and promoting Yoruba cultureand traditions, as well as marking his first anniversary in office, the 15th Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams, will install 21 council chiefs selected from all Yoruba speaking states in Nigeria including, Kogi and Kwara states.

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, officially installed him as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland on January 13, 2018.Also, to commemorate his first year of installation, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will unveil two books in his honour on January 9, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers.

The first book titled, Gani Adams, Aare Onakakanfo Yorubaland, mirrors the transformation of the Yoruba Generalissimo from a freedom fighter to a culture icon. The main motivation behind this is simply to tell the story of his humble beginning. His rise from the backwoods of Nigeria to become a notable figure in the world. He has been able to achieve this feat through a dint of hardwork, focus, perseverance and courage.

The second book titled, Voice of the Media, Voice of the People, is a compilation of media stories, interviews, editorials and vital items published on Aare Gani Adams in the last one year. It offers a unique opportunity for readers to view the Aare via the media lens.

Speaking at the Ladi Lawal Press Centre, the NUJ chairman, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, who is also a media committee member of the one year coronation anniversary, said that Gani Adams no doubt, had an eventful one year in office. “A title does not make its holder. On the contrary, it is the holder that makes the title tick. The Aare’s first year in office has concentrated chiefly on the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition as well as protecting Yorubaland from external aggressors.

“The involvement of our great union in the installation anniversary is particularly aimed at promoting cultural renaissance in the country. Every society has its culture. It is the culture that gives man the ability to think and reflect about himself and his society. It is culture that makes a people unique. It is culture that gives a people their identity.

“Regrettably, in our country today, owing largely to the infiltration of foreign culture and ignorance, the rich culture and tradition of the various ethnic nationalities are being eroded. Ignorantly, many of our young folks believe that foreign culture is superior to ours, hence their perception of indigenous culture as barbaric, uncivilised and primitive.”

Stressing the call for cultural promotion, he said, “it is our firm conviction that for our beloved nation to move forward, we must go back to the path of holding our culture in high esteem and with great reverence. For the avoidance of doubt, our indigenous culture is laid on certain core values for the development of the people and their homeland. Sadly, ‘civilisation’ and technological advancement has encouraged new generation of compatriots to abandon these traits. However, the core values remain an unwritten laid down rules and regulations to guide our ways of life and living as it had been from time immemorial.

“Ironically, developed nations such as China, Japan, Germany, Portugal, USA and a few others use their culture as veritable tool for developing morality and social justice in the society to attain enviable heights. They respect their language and other cultural values so much so that they can do anything to preserve them.

“Therefore, our major goal in identifying with the installation anniversary of Aare is to ensure that younger and coming generations of Nigerians take pride in their language, culture and tradition. This way, they can desist from perceiving foreign culture as superior theirs. This way, we can free our minds from the shackles of cultural slavery.

“We are of the view that one of the most important ways of instilling patriotism and inculcating the belief of the possibilities in our youths is through immortalising our past heroes and those still living.” On the installation of the 21 council chiefs, Head of Media, Dotun Oladipo, said, “Aare Onakakanfo is an institution, so, it’s a normal thing for the aare to install chiefs: Onikoyi was one of the chiefs installed by him before he became king.”

On why the 15th Aare is installing non-popular persons as chiefs, he said that things must be done differently, “being a moneybag is not part of the requirement to become a member of the council. They are people of integrity. The aare is passionate about culture and he wants people who are ready to work to achieve the goal. We’ll also launch a book containing one thousand different Yoruba proverbs on January11 and the 21 chiefs will be installed on the of January 12