Gani Adams in Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj, canvasses restructuring of Nigeria

The National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, has canvassed for a restructuring of the country.
He also described those who hide under religion to castigate their culture, customs and tradition as unpatriotic.
Adams said it amounted to being a religious fanatic to condemn the tradition and customs of the Yoruba.
The Convener of Oodua Progressives Union (OPU), who is in Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj, said it was wrong for anybody, irrespective of his religion, to paint in bad light the tradition, customs and culture of his people.
Adams said as a Muslim, he owes it to his belief not to pull down the values of his culture because religion should serve as a rallying point to advance the tradition of a people
He said, unknown to many people, he is a practising Muslim.
He said he decided to make this known because a lot of people think his Muslim faith will not make him respect the culture, customs and traditions of the Yoruba race.
Adams said his faith will not, in any way, stand as a stumbling block to his struggle for self determination and adherence to Yoruba culture and tradition .
He said: “I am a Muslim. I am in Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj, to carry out the obligations of my faith. But, even as a Muslim, that does not stop me from promoting the customs and tradition of our people. The problem with most Nigerians is that they hide under the guise of religion to castigate their customs and tradition. This, I think, is contrary to the beliefs of self determination struggle.”
He said religion should play a key role in the promotion of culture affirming that the Islamic religion has helped to propagate the Arab culture, language and tradition.
Adams said: “We must use our religion to promote our culture whether we are Muslims, Christians or traditional believers.
Religion should not be about self benefit or exploitation, but must be used to promote education, culture and charity.
“Many countries in world that are not fanatical about religion have achieved advances in education, technology and social welfare. These countries are in Asia and Far East, Europe and other places.
“We need to use religion as a unifying and rallying point to advance socio and economic development not to castigate our culture and tradition. In Nigeria, we need to take a cue from some climes to use religion as a tool to promote our tradition.”
He said it was wrong for religious organisations to pursue self interest but advance educational promotion and socio economic development .
He said government needs to restructure the country such that every region could develop at its own pace .
“The regional structure will affirm every state the opportunity to utilise resources in their domain”.
Adams called on government to diversify the economy by expanding frontiers in solid minerals, agriculture and tourism.
He said the poor state of electricity supply in the country is serving as a huge disincentive to investment in critical sectors of the economy.