The final rites for the installation of Otunba Gani Adams as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland will begin on Wednesday.

Since he was designated as the Aare Ona Kakanfo late last year by the Alaafin of Oyo, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, Adams had been engaged in several processes that will lead to his installation on January 13 at Durbar Stadium, Oyo, Oyo State.

From Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress and Founder of Oodua Progressive Union, which is in 79 countries, will be in seclusion in Oyo town.

According to information from the Media Office of the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate, the schedule of rites, which will end in the wee hours of Saturday, had been drawn up by the palace of Oba Adeyemi.

Also on the schedule of programme for the installation is a press conference to be addressed by the Oyo State Government to unveil the details of the installation ceremony on Saturday and provide guests and users of the ever-busy Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Road with traffic diversion and parking arrangements.

Among the several dignitaries expected at the ceremony are the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; and the Ooni of Ife, Oonirisa Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Also expected are Obas of the six South West States and those of Yoruba-speaking areas of Kogi and Kwara States; captains of industry; and the diplomatic corps in Nigeria and representatives of foreign governments.

Adams, who succeeds late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, as Aare Ona Kakanfo, was appointed by Oba Adeyemi on October 16, 2017.

He holds 52 chieftaincy titles.

As a human rights activist, he was involved in the struggle for the return of Nigeria to democracy after several years of military rule and has defended the rights of the underprivileged.

Update news