By Ifedayo Adeniyi
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has restated his determination in sustaining the cultural identity of the Yoruba race, saying promotion of Yoruba culture and festivals across the Southwest is part of the tools for the liberation of Yoruba race.
Iba Gani Adams, who gave the assurance at Olumo Festival, which was part of activities for a weeklong 2022 Lisabi Festival, called on all traditional rulers in South West region of the country to perform their statutory roles as custodian of culture and tradition.
While explaining the reason for celebrating the festival, Aare Adams stated that Lisabi/Olumo festival remains one of the most celebrated festivals in Egbaland, adding that the festival has showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Egba people.
He said, "there are several spiritual benefits we derive from celebrating these festivals. We have also used these festivals as part of our sacrifices to the deities in order to connect to the spiritual realm".
"By celebrating Lisabi and Olumo festival, we have rekindled the hope of the Egba people. We have also reinvented the glory of their past heritages. Egba is notably one of the leading and historic towns among the nucleus of the Yoruba race".
"The beauty of their tradition is expressed in the way they celebrate their ancestors. In history, Lisabi was truly a great progenitor of the Egba people. His footprints remained evergreen in the minds of all indigenes of the ancient town",
"Yoruba history has always been kind to the Egba people. History has provided adequate information on the various exploits of Lisabi, whose efforts brought Abeokuta to global reckoning".
Speaking on the state of the nation, Aare Adams maintained that insecurity has taken huge toll on all sectors in Nigeria, saying no sector has been spared with the rising scourge.
He stated that the rising spate of insecurity across the country can only be tackled with state or regional police, which, according to him, is one of the contents of restructuring".
In his remarks, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo commended the efforts of Adams for championing the cause for the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, saying the Yoruba generalissimo has used the Olokun Festival Foundation to drive the tourism potentials of Abeokuta, and Ogun state generally.
The monarch added that the economic sector of Abeokuta received a big boost with over 50,000 dignitaries, including members of the Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) during the festival.
"I want to commend Aare Gani Adams for his courage to project the cultural identity of Yoruba race and that of the Egba people",
He has used his platform to drive the tourism potentials of Abeokuta and Ogun state in general by bringing over 50,000 participants to Olumo festival annually.His spirit of consistency is unrivaled and I appreciate his courage."
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