Alaafin receives Akoko monarchs, makes case for ‘Yoruba indigenous knowledge’

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has said that as things move at the present time, it will be disastrous if stakeholders on Yoruba culture and traditions fold their arms by allowing their heritage to dwindle into oblivion in the face of permissiveness.
Oba Adeyemi stated this at a colourful reception organised
for traditional rulers from Akoko North-West Local Government area of Ondo State, who paid him a ‘’thank you visit’’ in appreciation of choice of Otunba Gani Adams, as the 15th Aare Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Adams hails from Arigidi Akoko in the local government area.
Alaafin stated that past Alaafins, including himself, were
impervious to changes, as it is on record that they contributed and still contributing in no small way, morally and financially, to  the preservation and renaissance of traditional heritage of the people.
‘’Personally, the record which the past Alaafins left behind (both written and oral) had been a source of inspiration and pride to me
since I ascended the throne and was exposed to their rich archives in
the palace. The indigenous resources of Yoruba epistemology are
crafted in such a way as to shape the thoughts and worldview and also
guide daily conducts of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba recognizes the
need to have a society where law and order will prevail. Quite unlike
what obtains in contemporary times, Yoruba enshrine the values and
ethos of sanity in all facets of life’’.
The Paramount ruler noted that what stands out the Yoruba everywhere
they are found is their strong attachment to their culture, religion
and traditions, adding that even with civilization, the light of
culture has remained effervescent among the people.
Interestingly, he pointed out,  ‘’one major reason why the bond of
tradition in Yoruba society remains relevant is the seeming interwoven
nature of the elements associated with same in the Yoruba worldview.
For the Yoruba, culture is the unwritten constitution of the society.
It is a guide to morality, a determiner of ethics and a paradigm of
inter-personal relationships. Yoruba tradition is essentially
oral-driven’’.
While warning that these cultures are being pushed beyond their limits
of tolerance in manners that suggest danger, the Titan of Yorubaland
observed that the time to begin to appreciate and re-appreciate the
cultural importance to Yoruba and national growth is critically now,
as experiences suggest that the pathways to development are
strategically hidden in the cultures and cultural-political
determinations.
According to the Alaafin, ‘’Yoruba culture is not static. At the same
time, every generation tries to preserve aspects of the indigenous
tradition. This effort is counterbalanced by the pragmatic desire of
the Yoruba to appropriate change in the garb of tradition. When the
new Aare Ona Kakanfo will be be installed through and traditional
rites performed, you will all witness and appreciate the essence and
efficacy of Yoruba metaphysics’’.
Oba Adeyemi lauded Otunba Gani Adams’s courage, determination,
commitment and sense of devotion to the emancipation of Yoruba
progress and development through unalloyed cultural promotion both
within and outside his country, Nigeria.
Said he, ‘’culture as viable tool of development are under-estimated
and not annexed even when the Americans and European Union (EU) are
doing everything possible to annex their many cultures for national
and regional sustainable development drive. Brazil, India and China,
as well as South Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore all built their paths
to development on traditional values and culture’’. ‘’Interestingly,
these Western countries, including the Asian Tigers all started the
journey to development with Nigeria, but they have since left Nigeria
far behind on the race to development. The gap is very wide and is
still being widened as the missing link in Nigeria is still not being
annexed’’.
Earlier, the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, hometown of Aare Gani Adams, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, who led other nine traditional rulers, said the choice of Gani Adams from their area did not only come to them as a surprise, but would forever be appreciated.
According to Oba Olanipekun, ‘’what can we give Your Imperial Majesty
that will commensurate with the rare honour and wonderful recognition
of our reliable and dependable son worthy of this formidable Yoruba
position. We are indeed grateful to You, the Alaafin of Yorubaland,
and pray for Your long life and good health’’.