Otunba Adams is a detribalized Nigerian, whose vision of a one united
and prosperous Nigeria, based on equity and mutual respect for one
another is unrivalled. Above all, he is a God-fearing leader. His relationship with
his fellow man is never based on religious or tribal sentiment. For
him, Christianity, Islam and Traditional religions are all sides of the
same coin, with the three worshiping the same and one God.
For a man
destined for greatness, his steps were directed by Almighty God, who
knew the roles destined for him to play on earth, and ensured that he
was brought into the world through a union of two great families of Pa
Lamidi Adams
and Late Madam Dada Adams, nee Aduloju.The journey of life started for
Otunba (Dr.) Gani Adams, on 30th April, 1970 at Arigidi-Akoko, in the
present Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
He attended many primary schools due to the nature of his father’s job.
His educational exploits started at the Army Children’s School, Oturkpo,
Benue State, where he got as far as primary three (3) before his father
was transferred to Lagos, where he completed his primary school
education at the Municipal PrimaySchool, Surulere, Lagos,in 1980. Otunba Adams proceeded to Ansar-Ud-deen Secondary School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, for his secondary education before picking a interior decoration job at an Italian Construction Company, Visinoni Stabilini, Apapa, Lagos, from where he voluntarily resigned after some urge to establish his own Interior decoration business, Gadson Interior.But sequel to the bastardization of the socio-political and economic life of Nigeria, occasioned by the military fascist rule of that time, Otunba (Dr.) Gani Adams became an active Pro-Democracy Activist in 1992. He pitched his tent with the Campaign for Democracy (CD), in the struggle to end military rule in Nigeria and instal parcitipatory democratic governance. Young Gani Adams had a big and daunting responsibility thrust on his shoulders when he became the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of Mushin Local Government Chapter in 1993 and Member of Oodua Youth Movement, OYM, a pro-Yoruba self-determination group.
He was a foundation member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), when it was formed in 1994. And like the huge elephant that cannot pass unnoticed, Gani Adams was the overwhelming choice for the position of the first Deputy National Coordinator and now the National Coordinator of the group. This amiable High Chief from Arigidi Akoko, presents an interesting character with his crusade of selfless commitment to protecting Yoruba interest, not minding whatever happens to him in the course of the struggle. With his dedication to the well being of Yoruba race; it is obvious that he has acted his script into history book. In spite of the vicissitude, Otunba (Dr.) Gani Adams is optimistic with great hopes and unwavering determination that Nigeria cannot survive as one entity unless the union is decentralized and the federating units granted self-autonomy status.Thirsty for self-improvement in the present challenging world, Otunba Adams returned to school to bag a Diploma in Tourism Management from the International
Aviation School, Tema, Ghana in 2003. Not done, he went further to obtain another Diploma in International Relation and Strategic Studies from the Lagos State University (LASU) and capped it with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from same Lagos State University (LASU).Otunba Adams is a firm believer in the belief that culture can be used as a vehicle for national integration and a platform for the realization of the elusive peace and love in our society.As a strong believer in the attributes of the Yoruba cultural heritage, his organization, the Olokun Festival Foundation (O.F.F.), today remains the only Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition.
The Olokun Festival
Foundation sponsors and participate in the following festivals across
Yoruba land. Eledumare Festival Ijora Lagos,Ajagunmale Festival Lekki
Lagos,
Osun Osogbo Oshogbo, Olokun festival Badagry Lagos, Oya festival Kwara State,Oke Ibadan, festival Oyo State Oodua festival Ile-ifeGrandmothers’ festival Epe Lagos Olumo festival Abeokuta Ogun, Ifa festival Lagos, Aje festival Agege Lagos, Obatala festival Oyo State, Oranmiyan festival Oyo State Okota festival Ondo StateOro festival, Iseyin Oyo StateOgun Festival Ikorodu Lagos Elegbara Festival,Shasa Lagos,OPU World Congress Oyo State,National Youth Development Submit Lagos,Interactive Session with Leaders, Otunba Gani Adams Art Student Scheme,Lagos Birthday Anniversary Lagos, Kudirat Abiola Remembrance Lagos,June 12 Remembrance Lagos, Nigerian Artisan Submit Lagos, Ramadan Lecture Lagos,World Humanitarian Day Lagos,World Literacy Day Lagos,Heroes Day Lagos,Xmas Carol Lagos,among several others.Also the Olokun Festival Foundation showcases beauty pageant in five of its festivals namely:Miss Oodua,Miss Olumo,Miss Okota,Miss Olokun And Miss Oya,He has carried his cultural crusade across continents, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, North America, South America, including: Brazil, Ghana, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, India, Britain, France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and many others. Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) A Yoruba Socio-Cultural group in the Diaspora.In 2011, he made landmark feats in major countries across,Europe, Asia, Africa North America and South America where he launched chapters of the Oodua Progressive Union (O.P.U). Today, the O.P.U has registered its presence in 78 countries, where it has been launched, with more countries eager to join. It can be said that O.P.U is the largest Yoruba Socio-Cultural association in the Diaspora,
It is to his credit that a Yoruba socio-cultural organization has good
representation in the United Kingdom, UK, Germany, Holland, France and
many other countries spread across the globe.Osun Osogbo Oshogbo, Olokun festival Badagry Lagos, Oya festival Kwara State,Oke Ibadan, festival Oyo State Oodua festival Ile-ifeGrandmothers’ festival Epe Lagos Olumo festival Abeokuta Ogun, Ifa festival Lagos, Aje festival Agege Lagos, Obatala festival Oyo State, Oranmiyan festival Oyo State Okota festival Ondo StateOro festival, Iseyin Oyo StateOgun Festival Ikorodu Lagos Elegbara Festival,Shasa Lagos,OPU World Congress Oyo State,National Youth Development Submit Lagos,Interactive Session with Leaders, Otunba Gani Adams Art Student Scheme,Lagos Birthday Anniversary Lagos, Kudirat Abiola Remembrance Lagos,June 12 Remembrance Lagos, Nigerian Artisan Submit Lagos, Ramadan Lecture Lagos,World Humanitarian Day Lagos,World Literacy Day Lagos,Heroes Day Lagos,Xmas Carol Lagos,among several others.Also the Olokun Festival Foundation showcases beauty pageant in five of its festivals namely:Miss Oodua,Miss Olumo,Miss Okota,Miss Olokun And Miss Oya,He has carried his cultural crusade across continents, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, North America, South America, including: Brazil, Ghana, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, India, Britain, France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and many others. Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) A Yoruba Socio-Cultural group in the Diaspora.In 2011, he made landmark feats in major countries across,Europe, Asia, Africa North America and South America where he launched chapters of the Oodua Progressive Union (O.P.U). Today, the O.P.U has registered its presence in 78 countries, where it has been launched, with more countries eager to join. It can be said that O.P.U is the largest Yoruba Socio-Cultural association in the Diaspora,
Service to Humanity:In furtherance of his efforts to ensure that the less-privileged in the society are lifted out of the dungeon of poverty, he founded the Oodua Economic Empowerment Initiative and the Gani Adams Foundation, saddled to empower the poor by giving them economic freedom. And also as a firm believer that peace is key to development, Otunba Gani Adams participated at the National Peace Forum (N.P.F), in the interest of peace and unity among Nigerians, and was subsequently appointed a Peace Envoy. Beside the N.P.F honor, he was also awarded the Ambassador for peace by the Universal Peace Federation and International Federation for World Peace. As a result of his selflessness, dedication and forthrightness to the affairs of his race, Otunba Gani
Adams was nominated to represent the Yoruba race at the National Conference organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2014. In recognition of his well-placed understanding of national and global security matters, He was made a member of the National Security Committee in the National Conference and Vice Chairman of the National Security Management, Sub Committee on National Security. He was a member of the National Peace Forum, organized by the Obasanjo-led government, through the then Special Adviser on Inter -governmental Relation, Chief Rochas Okorocha.It is also on record that the current democratic dispensation was attained through the blood and sweat of some dedicated Nigerians, including Otunba Gani Adams. Oga, as fondly called by his admirers, was in the thick of the battle to ensure that the military return to the barracks to guarantee the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999.
This can be said to be one of his major achievements in life. For his believe and commitments to the struggle, he has visited and resided in several detentions in the Nigerian prisons and police cells. But at each occasion, he has come out stronger and more resolute, shaming the government that had hoped to kill his zeal and commitment to the struggle.
In recognition of his contributions to the development of Yoruba land, Otunba Adams has been honored with many chieftain titles across Yoruba towns.
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