Today, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, we celebrate the birthday of my boss, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland. All the arrangements have been made for a special birthday party tomorrow, on Wednesday, May 1.
In addition to the party, which has been a tradition for over two decades, Iba Gani Adams has decided to make a positive impact on the lives of brilliant and underprivileged students from universities in the South West. He will be providing cash donations as part of his annual tradition, and the results of his benevolence are evident for all to see.
Many of the beneficiaries of his scholarships are excelling in their respective fields and have become agents of positive change in our society. Iba Gani’s intention with the student scholarship scheme is to instill hope in the students, using his limited resources to encourage and motivate them, showing them that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
As we celebrate the milestones of the Yoruba Generalissimo, it is important to reflect on the successful trajectory of a man whose life story is a true testament to God’s glory. In my book, “Imprints of Fate,” I conducted an in-depth analysis of Iba Gani Adams’ life and explained the rationale behind many of his actions.
It is worth noting that even today, many of his critics have never doubted his courage and track record. The life of a leader and torchbearer is like a book with different chapters that need to be studied comprehensively. However, the true worth of a man lies in the quality of his heart and his service to humanity.
Some of the qualities that have shaped Iba Gani Adams into the person he is today include courage and a strong commitment to serving humanity. He has always demonstrated these qualities through his style of leadership. For instance, there are a few things that truly matter in life: love for others, courage, consistency, commitment, and the ability to take risks, even when it means standing alone with unwavering beliefs and convictions.
He embarked on his struggle at the age when it was difficult for people to believe in him. At the young age of 23, he led the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the fight for the emancipation of the Yoruba race following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Despite his youth, Iba Gani Adams remained dedicated to the cause, giving his all even at the risk of his own life
Today, he stands as a living manifestation of God’s glory and limitless possibilities. The small acorn he planted has grown into a mighty Iroko tree, with branches extending into every aspect of life. To Iba Gani Adams, standing alone does not mean being lonely; it means living and dying for a positive conviction.
Thankfully, his years of sacrifice have been rewarded and recognized. He remains the leader of the OPC and the Global Convener of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), a prominent Yoruba diaspora organization present in 98 countries across six continents. He is also the Grand Patron of Yoruba One Voice (YOV) and the convener of the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), among several other groups in Nigeria and beyond.
Iba Gani Adams’ ideals, vision, and values as a champion of culture serve as a source of inspiration to others. Today’s youth draw inspiration from his lifestyle, which symbolizes courage, love, consistency, and generosity, making him a role model for the new generation of leaders. He stands against injustice and is always ready to defend his rights and those of others.
Like his predecessor, the late Aare Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, one doesn’t need to be close to Iba Gani Adams to recognize his generous nature. However, throughout the more than five decades of his life, he has also faced the usual ups and downs. Yet, on every occasion, he has emerged stronger. He believes that while life may throw negative things at us, our reactions and how we handle them should be rooted in love and service to humanity.
As a visionary leader with unwavering convictions, he has learned valuable lessons about life and continues to learn. Today, Iba Gani Adams has become one of the leading voices in Nigeria. He advocates for regionalism, a political ideology that allows each region to develop at its own pace.
Aare is a friend of the media, always ready to express his thoughts on current and relevant issues. Regardless of what anyone may say about him, Iba Gani Adams is a self-made man with exceptional intelligence. He never wavers in his beliefs and is willing to do anything to help humanity.
For those of us who look up to him as our leader, the lesson here is that service to humanity is the greatest legacy we can leave behind. So, as we celebrate this great man, ourleader and the Yoruba Generalissimo, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, tomorrow, let us learn from his remarkable qualities of honesty, consistency, courage, generosity, fearlessness, and love for humanity.
Finally, on Wednesday, May 1, we will join together to celebrate and party with our gallant Generalissimo. We will joyfully commemorate another milestone in the life of our leader.