Chief Otunba Gani Adams paid a courtesy visit to His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo, The Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the ancient palace of the Yorubas in Oyo.
The Leader of the OPC in his speech emphasised the importance of all Yoruba’s both eminent and laymen to always as a matter of tradition pay homage to the Alaafin who is the father of the Yoruba race. He further solicited the cooperation of the Alaafin of Oyo in their efforts to promote understanding and unity amongst Yoruba Obas and even amongst prominent Citizens not only in Nigeria but also in the Diaspora.
Otunba Gani Adams who also noted that the lack of unity amongst Yoruba front line traditional rulers had endangered the unity amongst their children both in the country and in foreign lands. He explained that he did not spend Christmas and New Year in Nigeria, that he was in Germany where Yoruba sons and daughters have expressed their readiness to come home for the upcoming Yoruba Summit.
The OPC leader further added that Yorubas could not move forward unless the Alaafin participates in this laudable venture. Replying, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo commended Otunba Gani Adams, the OPC leaders and his entourage for their efforts in promoting understanding amongst Yoruba traditional rulers.
Oba Adeyemi III, who went into memory lane said that the Yorubas had in the past had engaged themselves in wars and skirmishes. Wars like Igbegbe war, Atagi war, Arakanga war, Gbanamu war, Owiwi war (Egba vs Ijebu). He further added that after the Ijaiye war which ended in 1862, the Egba and Ijebu attacked notable towns of Maku and I Peru, Ibadan went to the aid of Remo, the battle that ensued witnessed heavy loses amongst the combatants with Ibadan having the greater.
By 1864, the Alaafin saw the need to avert the unnecessary shedding of blood between the combatants. He then sent the Ose the staff of Sango to the combatants that the war must stop and the war stopped. That was the Bartedo war of 1865.
The last wars that ravaged the Yoruba part of the country that was the 16years war of Ekiti Parapo known as the Notion war. It was the Alaafin Adeyemi I, Alowolodu that sent a letter to Her Majesty Queen Victoria through Revd Wood the CMS secretary in Lagos imploring Her Majesty to come and intervene to save Yoruba race from extinction.
Credit:Oba Adeyemi III Facebook Page
