Last Saturday, the ancient town of Oyo was agog as eminent Nigerians gathered at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, venue of the installation of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.
The occasion which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd was the first of its kind in recent times. Traditional rulers and chiefs, numbering over 200, witnessed the historic event. However, the Ooni of Ife, and some other notable monarchs in the South West were conspicuously absent. Among the traditional rulers in attendance were Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso 1, who led the Olubadan-in-Council, His Highness Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who was represented by a delegate of high chiefs in Lagos led by Chief Adesoji Ajao, the Oyo Mesi, and some of the twenty-one Ibadan Obas newly installed by the Oyo State Government.
Also in attendance were the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, representing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, representing Governor Ibikunle Amosun among others.
Gani Adams, national coordinator of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), was installed 19 years after the demise of Moshood Abiola, the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo. Before his installation, traditional rites were performed on Adams by Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo.
