The drums rolled in Lagos on the 1st of May, 2026 in commemoration of the 56th birthday celebration of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land-Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams.
The MUSON Center was filled to capacity as different groups of Yoruba Descent vis -a-vis members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, ((OPC), Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Yoruba One Voice (YOV), the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), Obas from different Yoruba Kingdoms both far and near, family members, friends and well wishers came to honour the Yoruba Generalissimo.
Various people took their time to speak about the Yoruba Generalissimo.
First was The Paramount Ruler of Ayandelu Kingdom HRM Oba (Builder) Asunwo Ganiyu Aderibigbe Jamade 1. while eulogizing the sterling qualities of Aare Ona Kakanfo, he expressed faith in his protection of the Yoruba Race from undesirable elements.
Then came the traditional ruler of Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State, Nigeria-(the hometown of the celebratory); Oba Dr. Yisa (Yinusa) Abu Olanipekun who poured encomium on the celebrator.
Also, the president of the human rights groups, Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy- Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin spoke about the goodwill of the generalissimo.
Other speakers were, Onishaga Of Ishaga Abosule -Oba Mudashiru Biliaminu, the Onimapara of Mapara Kingdom Oba Lateef Amodemaja and Mr. Patrick Doyle who declared Iba Gani Adams as the protector of The Iwere people, commonly known as the Itsekiri-an ethnic group in Nigeria’s Delta State primarily inhabiting the Niger Delta region, known for their historic Kingdom of Warri founded in 1480.
Later, The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams mounted the stage for his birthday speech.
While reflecting on his journey so far, as someone who has fought for the wellbeing of the Yoruba Race, he thanked The Almighty God for His Mercy. He also announced the five outstanding winners of the “Aare Gani Adams Annual Scholarship Award”.
They were: Aderibigbe Oreoluwa Oluwapamilerin from Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Alofin Promise Oluwafemi from Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences; Iyin-Ekiti; Taiwo Bisola Grace from The University of Ibadan; Awoyele Michael Victory from The University of Ilesa and Okafor Cynthia from Trinity University Yaba, Lagos-Nigeria.
According to him, the celebration was the 26th edition he has held consecutively, since he was 30 (thirty) years old.
The ceremony took another pedestal with the grand arrival of the 46th Alaafin of Oyo and his beautiful Olori-Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, who described Iba Gani Adams, as a focused and committed fighter.
According to him, the Yoruba Generalissimo stands as “a dogged fighter who is focused, committed and whose unrelenting efforts and sense of devotion in the vanguard of making Yoruba traditional religion a reference point in global circles is inspiring, laudable and worthy of emulation”.
He emphasised that the choice of Iba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland was as a result of his unflinching commitment in confronting the western world, through the Oodua Peoples Union (OPU) against the unruly habit of the white men; that encouraged Africans to disregard, disrespect, dishonour and abandon their cultural heritage.
The high point of the event was the cutting of the ceremonial cake. He was joined by his wife Ayinba Joy Ayomide Adams, The Alaafin of Oyo and his beautiful Olori-Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, The Aare Ona Kakanfo -in-Council and other groups who came to felicitate with him.
Recall that The Generalissimo of The Yoruba Land Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams’ real birthday was on the 30th of April, 2026, but he chose to celebrate it with his family, friends, colleagues and associates on the 1st of May, 2026.
