My heart is indeed filled with joy as I stand before you today.
First, I am happy that we are all gathered here today as witnesses to this historic event, the launching of Oodua Progressives Union (OPU) in Kenya.
The launch is in fulfillment of our dream to ensure that all children of Oduduwa in the Diaspora unite for a common purpose in order to forge ahead with the dream and aspirations of our forefathers and to bring honour to our land.
His grace and mercy are sufficient for us and have indeed sustained us in our struggles through life, To Him alone be all the honour and adoration.
Since its creation, the OPU has successfully brought together our people, who before now have been scattered all over the world without any sense of common purpose among them.
Already, we have successfully launched the OPU in 68 countries across the world. As we speak, we have our chapters in the UK, US, Canada, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Holland, France, Sweden, Austria, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal to mention a few.
For instance, the OPU has successfully acquired some acres of land in Nigeria for members of the OPU to subscribe and own plots in the estate.
The OPU Housing Estate is a very good opportunity for all members of OPU to own a very affordable land that is free from the problems associated with the issue of land grabbers.
At this juncture, it is important to speak about our rich cultural heritage, which undoubtedly is second to none in the whole world.
The Yoruba culture places high premium on good manners, which our fathers aptly tagged as Omoluwabi.
For us, Omoluwabi captures the whole essence of humanity.
An Omoluwabi is ever faithful and trustworthy under any circumstance.
He is also brave, but filled with common sense, All these attributes are what you find in a true-born Yoruba man.
Having said all these, it is important that we all understand that the unity of all Yoruba people is very important.
In that case, it is your responsibility to ensure that our unity is sustained, irrespective of your background r religion.
You must realize that there is strength in unity. Our fathers would say that: agbajowo la fi n soya. Ajoji owo kan ko gberu dori.
What this translates into is that there is more to be gained if we unite and work together as one.
Therefore, it is important for all of us to know that is very important that the leadership have a strong relationship with the Nigerian embassy in Kenya and their officers for the progress of Nigeria.
Also, as members of OPU, you must realize that it is important that you are representing the Yoruba race in Kenya.
Therefore, I would implore you that you be good ambassadors of Nigeria and the Yoruba race in Kenya.
Again, you must always make sure that you don’t get yourselves involved in acts that will dent the image of our dear nation.
You must all refrain from acts that will put the image of the OPU and indeed our race in bad light before the world.
I want you to seize the opportunity of your living in Kenya to learn the secrets of how it has successfully built their country’s tourism industry and turned it into a money-spinning venture that attracts tourists from all over the world.
It is no secret that Kenya is the number one tourist destination in the whole of East Africa, and is indeed the first choice for multinationals and other international organizations for the location of their headquarters.
It will surprise you to know that among the international organizations have their African headquarters in Kenya are Bank of China; Blackberry (East and Central Afrcia); China-Africa Development Fund (East Africa); Citi Bank (East Africa); General Electric (Africa); Google (Africa); IBM (Africa); IMF (Africa); Mitsubishi Motors (Africa); Nestle (East, Central and West Africa); Rockefeller Foundation (Africa) and World Bank (Africa).
We can turn Yorubaland into a tourists’ destination point and make it attractive to international organizations to want to cite their headquarters in our land if we would rededicate ourselves to the development of our land and make its interest a priority in all our undertakings.
However, you must realize that our country is presently going a tough period in its history.
It is therefore imperative that you all refrain from partisan issues and other issues that are capable of dividing us or causing disaffection among our people.
Let me seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to all the members and leadership of OPU in Kenya.
Your dedication and hard work to ensure the success of OPU in Kenya has not gone unnoticed.
However, I want you realize the popular Yoruba proverb, which says: Ibere kii se onise. Eni to ba fori tii dopin la o yin.
The import of this proverb is that you must not give up until we have achieved success.
I want you all to know that if we work hard and the OPU is successful in Kenya, then you all must have written your names in the sands of history as those who took the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people across the ocean and made it popular before the world.
Thank you all.
Oodua a gbe wa o.
Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams
National Coordinator Oodua People’s Congress
Chief Promoter Olokun Festival Foundation,
Founder Gani Adams Foundation,
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