The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has reaffirmed his commitment to the preservation of Yoruba culture, promotion of unity and the security of the Yoruba people.
Adams made the declaration on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while speaking at the 2026 Kakanfo Festival held at CNUD Primary School, Ikorita Meje, Olose, Ifo, Ogun State.
The festival brought together traditional rulers, members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), cultural enthusiasts and other dignitaries to celebrate Yoruba heritage and the historical significance of the Aare Ona Kakanfo institution.
In his address, Adams described the Kakanfo not merely as a traditional title but as a sacred institution symbolising courage, protection, leadership and defence of Yorubaland.
He traced the establishment of the Aare Ona Kakanfo title to Alaafin Ajagbo in 1530, describing it as the highest military leadership position in the old Oyo Empire. According to him, the office was created to provide strategic leadership for the defence of the Yoruba people.
Adams also dismissed what he described as the misconception that holders of the Kakanfo title historically had short tenures. He cited previous holders, including Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye Ketu, Oyatope, Oyabi of Ajase, Afonja of Ilorin, Toyeje of Ogbomoso and Latoosa of Ibadan, who, he said, spent decades in the position.
Speaking on his responsibilities as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, Adams listed the defence of Yoruba interests, promotion of unity, preservation of culture and tradition, protection of Yorubaland’s territorial integrity, promotion of economic development, advocacy for justice and religious tolerance, as well as humanitarian services.
He further called for the sustained teaching of Yoruba language in universities across the Southwest and the reintroduction of History as a subject in Nigerian schools.
According to him, strengthening the teaching of Yoruba and History would preserve indigenous knowledge, promote cultural identity and give younger generations a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s diverse heritage.
Adams highlighted the activities of the Olokun Festival Foundation, the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), saying the organisations had contributed to cultural promotion, diaspora engagement, community security and humanitarian services.
He disclosed that the OPU operates in more than 104 countries, while the OPC continues to engage communities and stakeholders on security matters. He also cited the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), comprising 16 security-related groups across Yorubaland, as another platform through which security cooperation is being promoted.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo also revealed that the groups under his leadership regularly organise capacity-building programmes and humanitarian activities, including visits and donations to less-privileged people, homes for the elderly and physically challenged persons, and schools for the blind.
Adams urged Southwest governments to explore greater collaboration with the SSSG to strengthen security and protect communities from internal and external threats.
He said his broader mission remained the promotion of unity, justice, peace, cultural pride and economic prosperity across Yorubaland and Nigeria.
Concluding his address, Adams called on Yoruba people to take collective responsibility for preserving their heritage and ensuring that the history, language and traditions of the Yoruba race are not lost.
“May the Kakanfo Festival be a beacon of cultural pride, reminding us all of our shared responsibility to preserve and promote Yoruba heritage,” he said.
Isedale Kakanfo a gbe wa o.
