The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has called for greater cooperation and unity among the Yoruba people, traditional rulers, and practitioners of traditional religions.
Speaking on Friday during a visit by the executive members of the International Council for Ifa Religion, led by its President, Fayemi Fakayode, Adams emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure the progress and peace of Yoruba land.
The meeting, which took place at Adams’ residence in Lagos, aimed to foster collaboration among key Yoruba stakeholders.
A statement released by the ICIR President in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, highlighted the purpose of the visit, describing it as a mission to advocate unity among Yoruba leaders for the advancement of their people and the preservation of peace across Nigeria.
“Our visit is basically to advocate cooperation and unity of Yoruba leaders, especially traditional rulers, for peace and development of our people,” the statement read. “We salute your doggedness and resolute stand to work for Yoruba’s progress, and you shall continue to be a point of connection for future Yoruba’s history.”
Adams, while addressing the gathering, urged all Ifá practitioners worldwide to support the ICIR executive members and prioritize unity.
He underscored the transformative power of solidarity, saying, “Only unity brings progress and development.”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo extended his appeal to the Yoruba diaspora and their traditional rulers, urging them to prioritize the well-being and security of Yoruba land.
“I call on all Yoruba throughout the world to work together for peace, harmony, and security of Yoruba land,” Adams said. “This appeal goes also to the Obas in Yoruba land to work together for development and security of Yoruba land, and they should as well promote the cultural heritage of the land whose custodians they are.”
Adams also highlighted the economic potential of cultural heritage, stressing its impact on the global stage.
“The promotion of heritage automatically leads to the promotion of the economies of many countries in the world,” he noted, encouraging traditional rulers and adherents of the Isese tradition to emulate this practice for collective benefit.
The call for unity comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions among Yoruba traditionalists and monarchs, often fueled by religious divisions between traditional worshippers and adherents of Christianity and Islam.
One prominent instance of these conflicts is the position of Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, who has been outspoken in his opposition to deity worship, challenging its role within Yoruba traditions.
His stance has sparked debates about the balance between modernity and traditional beliefs within the Yoruba cultural framework.
Gani Adams’ appeal, therefore, seeks to bridge these divides, focusing on unity and the collective promotion of Yoruba culture as a pathway to peace and development for the race.
