The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has voiced his support for the Yoruba Obas Forum’s stance against the presence of a Yoruba monarch in the Diaspora.
He commended the Forum’s timely response, deeming it the most effective strategy to curb the cultural violation negatively impacting Nigeria’s image and the Yoruba race.
Chief Gani Adams, in a statement conveyed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, emphasized the illegality of individuals outside Nigeria claiming the title of a Yoruba King. He underscored his duty as the Aare Onakakanfo to safeguard the sacred stool of traditional rulers and the sanctity of the Yoruba traditional institution.
Addressing the legal aspects, the chief mentioned laws emphasizing the significance of the traditional institution, allowing government-led Oba installations with support from state legislatures, and granting Obas the responsibility of installing their chieftains.
He pointed out the absence of Obas from other races, such as Jews, Arabs, Indians, and Chinese, in Nigeria. Chief Adams also noted that major Nigerian tribes like the Hausa, Benin, and Itsekiri or Fulani don’t have Obas in the diaspora.
Expressing concern about the denigration of Yoruba culture and tradition in countries like the USA, France, Holland, Ireland, Egypt, and Gambia, Chief Adams applauded the efforts of Obas under the Yoruba Obas Forum for opposing the unauthorized practice.
Highlighting the global respect for the Yoruba race due to its rich culture, he emphasized the legal backing for traditional rites and procedures before installing an Oba in Yorubaland. He argued that Yoruba communities abroad focus on organizations, not Obas.
In conclusion, Chief Adams urged influential Obas like the Ooni of Ife, Alake of Egba land, and Awujale of Ijebu land to support the Yoruba Obas Forum in condemning the illegal practice of appointing a Yoruba Oba in the diaspora.
He stressed the need to sanitize the traditional institution, deeming the presence of a Yoruba monarch in the diaspora as unwarranted and a complete denigration of Yoruba culture and tradition.
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