GANI ADAMS CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY ...CALLS FOR UNITY AMONGST YORUBAS

The National Coordinator of the Odua People's Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams was filled with joy on Wednesday May 1, 2013 as he celebrated his 43rd birthday with well wishers, friends and associates at the Anchor Events Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos.

The birthday boy, who was resplendent in his flowing white native 'agbada,' acknowledged cheers from guests and admirers as he ensured everything went according to plans. His wife, Erelu Mojisola Adams was all over the hall playing host to guests many of whom swam around her and her little baby, Olamide

The event was declared opened with an opening prayer by Prophet Olawale Kogberegbe, who presented a special bible to the celebrant.

 Gani used the occasion to call for unity amongst the Yorubas saying “Yoruba should unite. We need unity to achieve development, fight for our interests and bring our people in the Diaspora closer to us because we have a lot of resourceful people abroad. We are proud to say the Yoruba can be like the Arabs, Chinese and the Jews.”

Speaking on the controversial issue of pipeline monitoring, Gani said that OPC members are already involved in pipeline monitoring between Sagamu in Ogun State and Ore in Ondo State, adding that vandalism has reduced on that axis.

He said that as a group that has an antecedent in security management, OPC can secure pipelines in the Southwest.

“Some of our lower cadres have been doing it from Mosimi to Sagamu, Ore and even on the Ikorodu axis for nine years and there has not been any incident of vandalism. It will only get better when the OPC's National Coordinating Council is involved. I think we will achieve a very good result and stop the vandals. Our members are located everywhere we have pipelines, so we have the advantage of securing them.”

Adams said that his birthday celebration has become a yearly ritual for 13 years now, “We have been celebrating my birthday regularly for 13 years. Even when I was in detention, my people organised it for me in absentia and they brought over 2,500 people to the prison to celebrate with me.”

The National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shetima, said: “I see him more as a nationalist. We grew up together in the struggle about 13 years ago when there was a serious gap between the North and the South, and we worked together to bridge that gap. As a result, you can see the number of people from different religions that are here today to celebrate him. He is not a sectional person. He stood by me when I was arrested; he is a great man and leader.”

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by the Director, Bureau of Communications, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said: “Adams is an embodiment of courage, perseverance and a fighter for the cause of the Yoruba and Nigeria in general. His birthday is a celebration of courage and fight for the survival of Nigeria and we wish him the best.”

Also at the event were Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Oba Yisa Olanipekun the Onigbaye of Igbaye in Osun State, Oba Moronfoye Oni; Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Documentation and Research, Oronto Douglas; the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Ekiti State Governor, Mojeed Jamiu; President of the Ijaw Youth Council Joseph Eva; Chief (Mrs.) Adunni Bankole, High Chief Ayoola Akinade (Bashorun of Oyo), who represented Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike; veteran Yoruba actor, Lere Paimo; Bishop Kayode Williams and Prophet Olawale Kogberegbe, among others.

On the bandstand were popular gospel acts, Lanre Teriba aka Atorise, Sir Shina Peters and others.

May 14, 2013