Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged all believers of the three prominent religions to tolerate one another, saying religious tolerance is key to the progress of Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Thanksgiving programme organized by the Oodua People’s Congress at Oodua House, located at 14b Ezekiel Street, Ikeja, Lagos, Iba Adams, while restating the need for religious tolerance said the reason for the Thanksgiving programme is to appreciate God for the gift of life, protection and for keeping the hope of the OPC alive.
Iba Adams said the Yoruba socio -cultural organization was able to sustain the organization without receiving any grant or funds from any institution.
The Yoruba generalissimo stated also that the thanksgiving service is to hand over all the 42 programmes of the organization for the year to God, who he described as the greatest sustainer of the OPC.
“The year 2024 was a terrible year where about 35 children died in Ibadan, 50 also died in Anambra and in Abuja. But we survived all the tragedies of last year. But we want to hand over all our 42 programmes to God for us to succeed.
“Religion is very sensitive, therefore, I am appealing to all believers of the three prominent religions, the Muslims, Christians and the traditional believers to tolerate one another and embrace peace as that is key to progress of Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
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“OPC is a Yoruba socio- cultural organization that preaches religious tolerance. And as the leader of the organization and several others both in Nigeria and in the diaspora, I will be the last person to undermine any of the religions. I will be the last person that will denigrate Yoruba culture and tradition because I also believe strongly that religious tolerance and liberalism is the best that can help us out in Yorubaland.”
While assuring residents across Yorubaland of their adequate safety, Adams said it was very unfortunate that some religious fanatics are determined to cause security threats in Yorubaland, saying the reports of the influx of ISWAP in Yorubaland was very disturbing, noting that terrorists and bandits cannot come to Yorubaland without the knowledge of some Islamic fundamentalists.
Adams also made prominent mention of Lisabi, an ancestor of the Egba people and how the Egba ancestors helped him to defeat Arominija, another warrior from Oyo.
“OPC is the most crucified organization in Nigeria, however, we are able to sustain the organization because of our beliefs in a just cause.”
In their different sermons, the Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Ishola,who is the Chief Imam of Ogo Oluwa Mosque, Ajasa Command, Lagos, preached the gospel of peace and unity.
Meanwhile, Prophet Peter Oyewole from the C and S Agbojesu Ijedodo, emphasized the need for prayers and thanksgiving, saying no progress could be made in life without prayer and thanksgiving.
Chief Ifashola Adeoti from Alagbado,in his sermon, said the thanksgiving service would usher in various development and progress to the OPC .
The thanksgiving service had in attendance,prominent dignitaries from Nigeria and abroad with many members of the Aareonakakanfo Chiefs in Council, the OPC National Executive Council and National Coordinating Council among others.
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