The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, on Saturday revealed that he has received over 570 appreciation letters, from both within and outside Nigeria, commending him for appointing Aare Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Oba Adeyemi, who revealed this while speaking during a “thank you visit” paid to his palace in Oyo by the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate and his family, friends and associates, urged Adams to see himself as the symbol of Yoruba unity.
The Alaafin expressed surprise that his choice of Adams has received overwhelming endorsement from prominent Yoruba sons and daughters.
Also, 400 market women from Ondo North Senatorial District led by their President, Chief Mrs. Margret Bosede Giwa, stormed the palace to express their appreciation over the conferment of the traditional title on Adams.
The Alaafin, who thanked God for guiding him to make a right choice after eighteen years of vacuum, noted that Adams has become the symbol of Yoruba unity since his pronouncement as the new Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“I barely sleep again since I pronounced Otunba Gani Adams as the new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. I have been receiving phone calls and text messages from prominent sons and daughters from different parts of the world, commending me for my choice.
“I have received over 570 appreciation letters from people. They are all commending me. I thank God for guiding me to make a right choice, although, it was a journey of eighteen years.”
Specifically, Oba Adeyemi said that he appointed the new Aare Ona Kakanfo purposely to foster unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, saying Adams is now for all Yoruba sons and daughters.
In his own speech, Adams revealed that he has also received about 133 congratulatory letters from prominent Yoruba sons and daughters since he was proclaimed as the next holder of the prestigious traditional title.
Aare Adams added that all other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers have thrown their weights behind him as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo.
He informed the Alaafin that he had visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunke Aromolaran; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and that all of them have endorsed him.
Packaged by Olugbenga Adebayo
