The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, was on Sunday conferred with the chieftaincy title of AWHANNUKONGAN, the Asiwaju Ogun of Badagry, by the Akran of Badagry as part of activities to celebrate the 40 years coronation anniversary of De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi, the Akran of Badagry.
At the ceremony, which held inside the Palace of Oba Akran, the prominent monarch stated that the reason Otunba Adams was offered the chieftaincy was in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of the tourism sector in Badagry through Olokun Festival Foundation, which yearly organizes Olokun Festival that had been held in the last 15 years.
The antecedent of Adams as a fearless freedom fighter, according to a white cap Chief, Onusekan Gbewa l, the Jengen of Badagry, was part of the reason he is so being recognized.
To Gbewa, the chieftaincy title is long over due because of his laudable efforts to the growth and development of Badagry, adding: “God’s time is the best.”
Addressing Adams, he said: “I am aware that you have been given more than 46 chieftaincy in different places in Yorubaland.
“I pray to God that you will be given the mother of all chieftaincy titles in Nigeria, which all of us will come and celebrate with you soon.”
Another member of the Badagry Council of Chiefs, White Cap Chief Adesine Hundogan, the Agoloto of Badagry, in his speech revealed that with the grace of God, during the period that Adams started celebrating Olokun Festival in Badagry, the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have discovered crude oil in many places in Badagry, making Lagos State a part of the oil producing states.
Chief Abiodun Whedoku Patinvoh, the Baale of Yafin, also told Adams that he should always count on the support of the good people of Badagry in all his progressive endeavors, especially the ones that have to do with the promotion of culture.
In his acceptance speech, Otunba Adams thanked the Oba and the Council of Chiefs for giving such an important chieftaincy title to him despite the fact that he is not an indigene of Badagry.
He promised that he will not betray the trust bestowed on him by the people of Badagry, adding that whatever connection and influence he has that will be useful to boost the development of Badagry, he will not hesitate to do so.