The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has said the Oodua People’s Congress will go down in history as most victimised socio-cultural organisation in Nigeria.
Aare Adams said the group has, since its inception in 1994, paid its dues in ensuring the progress of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 2022 edition of the Special Thanksgiving Service organised by the OPC in Lagos, Iba Adams added that the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation had weathered the storm with various challenges from both within and outside it.
He also pointed fingers at some powerful establishments within the South West that were hell-bent on destroying the organisation.
Adams said: “The reason for the Special Thanksgiving Service holding is to express our appreciation to God because the journey had been tortuous, yet rewarding because we have moved from the unknown to the known.
“Though many of us lost their lives in the cause of the struggle, we never drifted, but continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Adams added also that Nigeria has the potentials, both human and material, to be one of the great countries in the world, but the leaders drifted through continued neglect of tradition.
He posited further that the OPC has distinguished itself as the only socio-cultural organisation that celebrates God with various programmes such as Eledumare festival and Oodua festival that are designed to promote the cultural identity of Yoruba race.
The Yoruba generalissimo also said continued neglect of tradition has remained the bane of Nigeria’s progress, adding that the country can only make meaningful progress by identifying with God and also promote the core values that are inherent in Yoruba culture and traditions.
Osi Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Balogun, in his remarks, reiterated the need to foster unity and peace within the ranks of the organisation, insisting that the OPC has come a long way as a leading organisation in the South West.
Balogun said: “I am sure history will be kind to the OPC as an organisation that stood by the Yoruba race, fought and still fighting the cause to ensure that the Yoruba stand above other races in Nigeria.”
Extolling the leadership traits of the Aareonakakafo of Yoruba land, one of the members of Aareonakakanfo-in-Council, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, said: “The greatest virtue of all leaders is the courage to withstand various challenges.”
Adejumo added that Iba Gani Adams had, through his long years of experience, had a fair share of what it means to be the leader of the most dynamic organisation in the history of Yoruba race.
Other guests present at the event included all members of the National Executive Council, National Coordinating Council, Muslim and Christian clerics and members of all departments of the OPC.