Last week Thursday, i left the shores of Nigeria with the Convener of Odua Progressive Union(OPU) Otunba Gani Adams who in the past 6years remain a close friend and confidant most especially because of his love for the Yoruba tradition,culture and emancipation. On the journey is Prince Akanni Segun Olalekan who is the ebullient multi-tasking personal assistance to Otunba. We left via Lufthansa Airline with a short stop over in Germany before heading straight to Dublin,the most popular province in Republic of Ireland.
On arrival,the warm reception accorded us was infectious,and the Launching of Odua Progressive Union, Ireland chapter at Lucan Spa Hotel, was a success. The large turn out of the Nigeria community dressed in colourful traditional attire was amazing,from the very rich food,drink and muzik by Ireland Fuji star, Semo wonder and his winter fuji, to side entertainment.
It was fun to connect with HRM.Oba Adewole Joseph,the Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti,HRM. Oba Yisa Olanipekun,the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko,Akogun Banji Ojo, the Europe Coordinator of OPU,our fantastic host and current Ireland OPU coordinator,Alhaji Saheed Ibrahim and his wonderful family,Akeem Alade,the cool, calm and handsome Coordinator of OPU in France(He was a fantastic host during my last visit to Paris,my warmest regards to Taiwo).My gangling and ever bubbling Victor Mobolaji Adewale,"Vicky Havana", the Coordinator of OPU in Sweden.The Oluomo of London,the current UK Coordinator of OPU,Otunba Olawale Harrison,Barrister Bello,Alhaji Ganiyu,the OPU Coordinator in Scandinavia, aside several members of OPU that came from all over the world.
It was fun to connect with HRM.Oba Adewole Joseph,the Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti,HRM. Oba Yisa Olanipekun,the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko,Akogun Banji Ojo, the Europe Coordinator of OPU,our fantastic host and current Ireland OPU coordinator,Alhaji Saheed Ibrahim and his wonderful family,Akeem Alade,the cool, calm and handsome Coordinator of OPU in France(He was a fantastic host during my last visit to Paris,my warmest regards to Taiwo).My gangling and ever bubbling Victor Mobolaji Adewale,"Vicky Havana", the Coordinator of OPU in Sweden.The Oluomo of London,the current UK Coordinator of OPU,Otunba Olawale Harrison,Barrister Bello,Alhaji Ganiyu,the OPU Coordinator in Scandinavia, aside several members of OPU that came from all over the world.
I must not forget to mention,the latest Oluomo in town,Chief Arowolo of the Heritage Restaurant and Bakery in Dublin who ensured that i didn't eat any yeye oyinbo food,the pounded yam and ego riro were fresh and sweet,my friend,Otunba Niyi Babade, and Solar Oyeyemi,Jimi Falade,thanks for the paddy paddy moves we made,how can i forget the memorable moments shared with Capt. Michael Olatokunboh Adesina who ensured we always laff our hearts out,Prince Micheal Kolapo Agunloye,Prince Ademokun Adedire Eyo CEO of Nelson Mandela Centre,Duleek who hosted us to good food,drinks and lovely Eyo cultural entertainment,my long lost sister,Kenny Funke Ashade, Oladapo Olajiga whose pen is still sharp,Madam Olubunmi Priscilla Jamiu-Bress, thanks for those lovely Ekiti song and dance,the video has gone viral!,Ayonimofe Motunde Success thanks for being a loving aburo,for those i forgot to mention,you are all close to my heart.
Yes! i had fun in Dublin,thanks to God,Otunba Gani Adams and the OPU worldwide clan.Back in Lagos.
To God be the Glory.
Yes! i had fun in Dublin,thanks to God,Otunba Gani Adams and the OPU worldwide clan.Back in Lagos.
To God be the Glory.
READ WHAT OTUNBA GANI ADAMS TOLD THE GUESTS
PREAMBLE
All the royal fathers here present, the Nigerian communities in Ireland and other European countries,
I humbly welcome you all to this epoch making occasion.
It is my delight to be part of this gathering, which undoubtedly is a watershed in the history of Yoruba unity.
I stand before you today, aware that we are standing at the threshold of history.
But before I continue, I wish to register my commendation to you all for your efforts to make this day a reality.
With what you have been able to achieve within this short period, I am very confident that the OPU in Ireland is bound for greatness.
You will grow from strength to strength in the shortest possible time if you continue with the zeal that you have displayed so far.
It is good at this time to look back and commend the heroic efforts of past Yoruba leaders, including the late sage.
Obafemi Awolowo and others, whose sense of vision has continued to be a reference point to modern development across Yoruba land and Nigeria in general.
You are all aware that Ireland is a popular destination point for most Nigerians because of its language.
Just like Nigeria, the English language is spoken in Ireland, the US and England.
Information at our disposal also revealed that about 40% of Nigerians studying abroad are either in the US, England and Ireland.
It is for this reason that I want to implore to embrace the language advantage that Ireland is offering you and use it to the benefit of all members of the OPU in Ireland.
It is also important that you see yourselves as ambassadors of Yoruba in Ireland.
Therefore, it is very important that you are law-abiding and obey the laws of your host.
You should know that your behaviour in Ireland is the mirror with which the rest of the world will view the Yoruba race.
WHY WE ARE HERE
If you recall, in the years before Nigeria’s independence, some notable Yoruba sons and daughters converged in the United Kingdom to form the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a group which later grew into an organization that liberated the Yoruba race.
Like the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, the Oodua Progressive Union is being inaugurated today in Ireland to act as a veritable platform for all Yoruba sons and daughters in the Diaspora to constantly form a formidable unit for unprecedented development of Yoruba land.
With this constantly at the back of our minds, I want you to know that there is power in unity.
“Ajoji owo kan ko Gberu dori ", which literally translates to, there is strength in togetherness.
With the OPU, you are constantly assured that you have the kind of protection that a baby gets from his parents.
The organization strives to reignite the passion and dreams of Yoruba founding fathers in you.
And from time to time, we will continue to remind each other of the legacies of the Yoruba nation.
Therefore, I want us to use the OPU as a stepping stone to bring our people together for the common good of Yorubaland.
While it is good to socialize, I want to beg you not allow social activities to derail you from your dreams.
You need to remain focused and not forget the sons and daughters of whom you are.
However, I would also want to remind you that you should not forget that no man can exist in isolation.
Therefore, you need to join hands and work together with other stakeholders in Ireland in order to achieve your aims and aspirations.
LEARNING FROM THE INDIANS
the most basic factor that has sustained the Indian people is their culture.
It is the dynamism and the flexibility that have enabled Indian culture to survive despite its many diversities and heavy odds.
Through these diversities runs a common stream, The Indians, irrespective of the differences in the political, cultural and other areas exhibit Great Spirit of togetherness, traits that have sustained the Indian people
till date. .
NEED FOR YORUBA EMANCIPATION
the role of politics cannot be underestimated in the development of the social and economic lives of the people.
The role and vision of our leaders, to a large extent, were instrumental to the progress and development recorded by the Yoruba during the first and second republic.
OPU AS THE WAY FORWARD
Since the death of the late Obafemi Awolowo, the Yorubas has found it practically impossible to get a leader to fill the vacuum.
But all hope is not lost. The OPU has offered us a platform to contribute our own quota to the development of Yoruba land.
American clergyman and activist, Martin Luther King Jnr, while delivering a public speech on the 28 of August 1963 on racism in the United States of America, said:
“I have a dream”. That simple phrase has continued to re-echo in every sense of struggle for liberation across the world.
Today, I tell you that I am very convinced that if we work very hard, the OPU will liberate the Yoruba race.
I am very sure that the OPU will be a platform that you and I can always run to in our hours of needs.
It is your responsibility and mine to make the OPU an indomitable mouthpiece of the Yoruba people all over the world.
I call on you, Yoruba sons and daughters to let us come together and work for the common good of our people.
The power of togetherness can never be overemphasized. Oneness is symbolized by a bunch of broom.
It is easy to break a stick of broom. But try and break the bunch, it becomes impossible.
We must not allow people from other regions of Nigeria and the world to take advantage of our divisibility to collectively enslave us.
Let them know that there is OPU all over the world.
Let them know that the Yoruba, irrespective of where they are, have a medium of protection in the OPU.
CONCLUSION
let me congratulate all of you here and all Yoruba sons and daughter all over the world on the official inauguration of OPU.
The birth of the OPU in Ireland is not just a wake-up call to the Yoruba, but an indication to the world that the Yoruba’s are no longer a sleeping dog, but a roaring lion with the ability to liberate its people.
I also want to use this occasion to encourage you all to rise and speak with one voice in matters that concern your brothers and sisters.
Also commend individuals who have taken it upon themselves to see that our race is liberalized.
Thank you all God bless the Yoruba land God bless you all
Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams,
National Coordinator Oodua People’s Congress,
Chief Promoter Olokun Festival Foundation,
Convener Oodua Progressive Union.
GOLDEN MOMENTS IN PICTURES
MORE PICTURES SOON
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