South-West govs should designate Kiriji war site as Yoruba unity tourism zone — Gani Adams

After 131 years of lying prostrate without any significant tourism impact,   Otunba Gani Adams , National Cordinator , Oodua Peoples’ Congress , OPC  and Promoter , Olokun Festival  Foundation, has called on the governors of South-west states to, in the spirit of Regional integration, declare the Kiriji War site in Imesi – Ile as Yoruba  Unity Tourism Site

Otunba Adams made the call recently when the ancient town of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, played host to notable Yoruba sons and daughters who converged on the historic town to celebrate the 131st anniversary of the proclamation of peace between Ibadan and Ekitiparapos at Kiriji-Mesin battlefield on the 23rd September 1886.

Otunba Adams said, That the Yoruba are still being called and addressed as a race till today could be traced to this particular battle field. This particular town, Imesi Ile, was where the last strand of the chord of unity of the Yoruba was prevented from being severed at the apogee of the internecine war which almost ruined the race.

“If the war had continued; if the bitter acrimony had been allowed to fester beyond the period of intervention; if there had been no arbitration and intervention, we may not had the Yoruba race as intact as it is today”.

Otunba Adams said further “Thus in the spirit of this regional integration, in the spirit of historical–tourism and cultural enhancement, this site should be jointly developed as a historical tourism site which oils our memory and sense of remembrance of that place and  time when the last strand of the chord of Yoruba brotherhood was sewn and prevented from being truncated “

“We are gathering here today, not only to mark that day of restoring unity but to call the attention of the governors of South west to the need to enhance this site as Yoruba Unity Tourism Zone”

As part of activities marking the notable peace treaty, a bon- fire night held on the eve of Kiriji/Yoruba Unity Day celebrations. The lighting of The Torch of Liberty was done by the OPC leader, Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams. The night symbolised the dropping of weapons by warlords and their warriors who agreed to set them ablaze.

At the war site, Otunba Adams prayed for the repose of the fallen heroes of the battle and prayed that the peace they bought with their lives would not evade Yoruba land.

On the D-day, a special summit on Yoruba Unity took place inside the Imesi-Ile town hall. The summit had in attendance the royal host, Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile.

Otunba Gani Adams, the National Coordinator of Odua People’s Congress, Arole Mabinuori Adegboyega Aare Latosa, (Dr) Adetoyese Olakisan, Oba Ogboni Agbaye, Hon Olalekan Omole, Chairman Obokun East LCDA,Otunba Ojo Williams, President, Kiriji Cultural Foundation,Sir Engr. David Oni, President, Imesi-Ile Progressive Association,Amb Yomi Fash Lanso, Chief Femi Davies among other notables.

The Summit Session, sponsored by Dr. Benedict Alabi, Gani Adams, who chaired the event, presented a paper on “The 1886 Peace Treaty as Bedrock of Yoruba Nationalism”. The trio of Dr (Mrs) Adeola Faleye, Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Dr Ogunfolakan (Faculty of History,OAU,Ife and Oribayo Faforiji a retired lecture were panelists.

In his opening remarks, Gani Adams identified the need for the indigenes of Imesi-Ile to be proud of their town.

According to him, “the historical relevance of Imesi-Ile can only be further projected and appreciated if the people of Imesi-Ile come out in their thousands to celebrate the Kiriji/Yoruba Unity Day.

By my estimate, the population of Imesi-Ile should be over 70,000. If we have over 10,000 in attendance, the world will become curious and will join in the celebration, which will further boost the economy of the town”.

He also pointed out the need for the government to support and participate in cultural activities.

The Aare Latosa,in his contribution, called for further unity among Yorubas.  He suggested that the of Kiriji Peace Treaty should be celebrated in other historic places such as Igbajo, Oke-Imesi,Imesi-Ile,and Ibadan.

He pointed out that need to go back to the basics which are fully entrenched in our culture and tradition. The Ifa oracle, he said, has been adopted by United Nations as a science and not a religion.

Aare Latosa expressed joy that Ifa is the only tablet which can speak on the past, present and future, unlike the Bible and Quran that are documents of the past. Yorubas, he concluded, are truly a blessed race.

“We should play down on things that separate us and rally round things that unite us,” he said.

Other speakers like Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, the Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile, appreciated the turnout of personalities. He told the gathering that the peace treaty celebration is not for Imesi-Ile alone, but for all Yorubas. The treaty spot, he revealed, is a potent land where prayers are answered.

According to him, if Yoruba unite and make a proclamation on the land, so shall it be.

He praised Otunba Adams for his support over the years and his love for the Yoruba race. He also supported the recent call to restructure Nigeria.

Oba Owa Ooye announced that the whole of Imesi-Ile were in support of the Ibadan Summit, and stressed to restructure Nigeria along regional line.

The Summit adopted a communiqué after the deliberations which were supported by all present.

After the summit, a guided tour of the Kiriji/Yoruba Treaty spot took place spiced with cultural displays and festivities.

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