Aare Ona Kakanfo: Afe Babalola, Ekiti, Ondo monarchs endorse Gani Adams

Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti and prominent traditional rulers in Ondo and Ekiti states have endorsed Chief Gani Adams as new Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

Indicating a hundred percent support for Adams, Babalola, who received Adams at his university office yesterday urged the new generalissimo to pursue the unity of the Yoruba race and make it greater than he met it.

He said, “Everybody know he (Gani Adams) has been nominated by Aalafin as the next Ona Kakanfo. He has come personally to give me my invitation to attend his installation. I am 100 percent in support of the appointment of Gani Adams by the Alaafin.

“If you followed the history of this young man, he has been very dynamic, highly focused person and I think this is parts of the characteristics that made Alaafin to appoint him.

“My advise to him is that he is holding very sensitive position in Yorubaland. The position held by great people who made Yoruba a nation. He will continue to do what others before him did, think of making the race greater and to defend its cause. ”

In his remark after touring the medical facilities at the new Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Adams said that instead of going abroad, the ABUATH should be the new medical tourism destination for Nigerians.

He noted that the facilities in the teaching hospital could be compared with the ones he saw in United Kingdom and Germany.

“I appeal to the management that they should allow the cost to be moderate. We don’t need to travel out again for medical check up with what is in the teaching hospital.

“I came to seek elderly wisdom from Chief Afe Babalola, who is one of the most influential people in Africa. Not only as legal luminary but as somebody who has done a lot to unify the Yoruba nation.”

“I am here for his advice. He has taught me a lot about the history of Yoruba race. For you to be put in an influential position and you don’t know the history of Yoruba, you will not be resourceful.

“He has taught me even post installation agenda because it is one thing to be installed as Aare Ona Kakanfo and it is another thing to perform in that position”.

The traditional rulers also backed Adams when visited each of them at their palaces during the weekend.

They include Osemawe of Ondo, Oba (Dr.) Victor Adesimbo Ademefun Kiladejo, Jilo III, Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Odundun II , Olubaka of Oka Ako Oba Adebori Yusuf Adeleye, Olukare of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, Oloba of Oba Akoko, Oba N, A Adegoroye, Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun

Others are Arinjale of Ise Ekiti Oba Adetunji Ayodele Ajayi, Ewi of Ado Ekiti Oba Rufus M Adejugbe, Alara of Aramoko, Oba Abdul Azeez Olu Adegoke Adeyemi, Owa Ajero of jero Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo Elekole of ikole Ekiti Oba James Adewunmi Ajibade, and Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbole III.

The Akoko people , especially Arigidi son’s and daughters where Aare Adams hails from could not hide their feelings as they give their sons a heroic welcome to their communities and praising him for bringing such honour and prestigious title to them.

The Zaki of Arigidi Oba Yisa Olanipekun organised a reception in honour of Adams