"Restructuring Is What We Need To Confront Nigeria's Challenges" -Gani Adams

Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland yesterday, Wednesday, January 9, 2019 emphasized that there is need for restructuring in Nigeria to confront the country's many challenges.

Speaking at a book launch in his honor by the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Adams explained that restructuring does not mean disintegration, but the re-organisation of the current structure of the country which has not been yielding much result.

“Restructuring is a must if Nigeria must move forward. There is no need of postponement because the present system is not working. Restructuring does not mean disintegration, but re-organisation of the current structure of the country which has not been yielding much result." Adams explained.

Also reiterating the need to preserve the rich culture of the Yoruba people, Aare said his 14 predecessors who reigned over a period of 589 years ago, did so in periods of war but as the 15 Aare Ona kakanfo, he will make the promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage paramount in a peaceful movement adding that history will be made as 21 traditional council chiefs would be installed as members of the ‘Aare-In-Council on Saturday, January 12,2019.

The Chairman Lagos council of NUJ, Dr Quasim Akinreti in his speech lamented the effect of technology on the nation's culture adding that the two books were written to preserve the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.

He implored everyone to patronize the books and also partake in the line up of the events for the installation of the Aare chiefs. “We want the next generation to have respect for their culture and respect for elders,” Akinreti said.

While delivering his lecture, Chief Gboyega Adejumo representing the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji said that the current Aare is one with a purpose. He also admonished all traditional rulers to support the 15 Aare, age not withstanding.

Adejumo explained that democracy started with the Aare because the roles and powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary were clearly separated.

The reviewer of the 200 pages book titled 'Gani Adams: The 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso of the Department of History, Osun State University said Adams is a worthy Aare and a man of integrity who rose from humble background to greatness. A role model, exemplar and one of the ambassadors of the Yoruba race.

Oyeweso recommended the book for Ministries of Information, Culture and Tourism. He also requested NUJ to make an online version available for wider audience.

Dr Tunde Akanni,a lecturer in the Lagos State University, the second reviewer of the book titled 'Voice of Media,Voice of People' said the book has 129 pages and contains various media publications and comments of Adams and that the book is a good one but pointed out the need for consistency in the spelling of nomenclature of the Odua Peoples Congress.