The Kakanfo chieftaincy title was instituted by Alaafin Ajagbo (1587-1624) who installed a native of Iwoye (in present-day Republic of Benin) and daring hunter, popularly called ‘Kokoro Gangan’, as the first Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland. Kokoro Gangan was alleged to possess magical powers that made him untouchable and beyond repression, by any means. According to history, he was so powerful that he could singlehandedly subdue towns.
Subsequent Aare Onakakanfos were to follow in this tradition of fearlessness, bravery and gallantry. History has it that most of them had amazing mystical powers that made them live and act mysteriously. For instance, it was alleged that Kokoro Gangan, the first Aare Onakakanfo, had supernatural powers that made him disappear and appear as he wished. Not only that, it was alleged that he also had powers that made him listen to conversations about him, irrespective of the distance.
It could, thus, be established that in the olden days, Aare Onakakanfos were dominant men who possessed unusual, paranormal powers. This couldn’t have been otherwise because in those days the influence of kingdoms and empires were measured by the fierceness and invisibility of their military.
However, in contemporary times, the trend seems to be changing. For instance, Late Chief S. L. Akintola, the then Premier of Western Nigeria and the 13th Aare Onakakanfo, was a colourful politician and a brilliant lawyer. Similarly, his successor, Late Chief MKO Abiola, was an affluent industrialist with wide-ranging interests in diverse sectors of the national and global economy. He was equally an accomplished politician and statesman who was famous all over the world. Hence, it could be accurately asserted that in the modern era, dexterity in the art of warfare is no longer a desirable feature in the appointment of an Aare Onakakanfo.
The appointment of the current Aare Onakakanfo follows in this contemporary tradition. In proclaiming Adams as the 15th Aare, Alaafin of Oyo declared that “his antecedents in the promotion of Yoruba culture are unquestionable, and he has a clear vision of where the Nation should be in its cultural reawakening both at home and overseas”.
In view of Adams’ undying and conscientious passion for the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, his appointment as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo is, no doubt, a befitting one. In 2011, Adams founded Oodua Peoples’ Union (OPU) as a body for Yoruba people in Diaspora and he has since established branches of OPU in major countries across Europe, Asia, Africa North America and South America. One of the most fundamental goals of the body is to foster unity and harmony among all Yoruba sons and daughters all over the world.
It is in view of his zeal for preserving indigenous culture and tradition that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, is identifying with the installation anniversary of Aare Gani Abiodun Adams. The main goal 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 to theirs.
Towards this end, the Union will be unveiling two books in honour of Aare Gani Abiodun Adams. The historical publications will be publicly unveiled on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja. It is the firm conviction of the Dr. Qasim Akinreti-led Lagos State Council of NUJ 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, ‘civilization’ and technological advancement have encouraged new generation of compatriots to abandon these traits.
We need to take a cue from developed nations such as China, Japan, Germany, Portugal, USA and a few others that 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.
Ogunbiyi, assistant director, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, is chairman, Publication Committee, NUJ, Lagos State Council.
