Aregbesola,Ooni, Alaafin to grace Lagos NUJ books launch 

By Sunday Oladapo

The immediate past Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ooni of lfe, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll  will  on Wednesday grace the Lagos Council of Nigeria Union of Journalist  (NUJ) books launch in honour of the 15th Aare Onakakanfo Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun  Adams.

Disclosing this in Lagos during the press conference at the Secretariat of the union in lkeja,  the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Qasim Akinreti said two books were written in honour of Aare Gani Adams for his contributions to the progress of the nation particularly  promotions of Yoruba culture.

According to Akinreti, the two books –  “Iba Gani Adams: Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland,”  was written by a journalist, Mr. Feeling Akinola andVoice of Media, Voice of People” would be presented to the public at Sheraton Hotel in Lagos on January 9, 2019 .

The first book reflects on the principles, struggles and institution of Aare Onakakanfo while  the second book is media collection on the activities of Aare Adams.

The books launch is part of activities lined up for the first anniversary of the installation of Adams as the Aare Onakakanfo Yorubaland .

“His love and commitment towards the promotion of Yoruba tradition is already a global testimony. We are proud of him and we see him as a rare breed and a role model. For us, he was the most suitable for the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo as appointed by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi,” Akinreti noted.

Speaking during the press conference, the Chairman of Aare Onakakanfo Anniverssary committee, Adebiyi Phillip explained that parr of the anniversary programs in include Aare Gani Adam’s  honouring 21 distinguished  Yoruba with  chieftaincy

The 21 people to be so honoured according to Adebiyi, will serve as Aare’s in Council.   Asked why Aare Gani Adams decided to set up Aare’s in Council where his immediate predecessors did not set up such body; he explained that late Aare Samuel Akintola and late Aare Moshood Abiola, the 13th and 14th Aare Onakakanfo respectively  were not regarded as full Aare Onakakanfo because they  focused more on regional and national political offices  than  Kakanfo’s office.

“  Aare Onakakanfo of the olden days has Aare in Council because Aare cannot take singlehandedly take  decision on issues because his position is that of king of warriors. Aare Onakakanfo must have Council of advisers that will look at issues critically from various angle before final decision is taken”, Adebiyi emphasized.

This, he said,  necessitated the appointment of 21 people by  Aare Gani Adam’s as his Council members. The appointees were picked from Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti and Lagoa State. Some among the appointees were drawn from Kogi and Kwara State.

Femi Akinola was a journalist of so many years, he was a senior correspondent with the defunk New Age newspaper, and Daily Trust covered Lagos State House for many years. A former Lagos, State House correspondent chairman.