Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said on Tuesday that the completion and commissioning of the multi-million Naira Oodua House in Ikeja, Lagos, is highly historical.
He added that the journey to accomplish this feat by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), led by him, was not easy due to challenges in securing a permanent office for the socio-cultural group.
The newly commissioned Oodua House will now serve as offices for the OPC, Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), South West Security Stakeholders, and others.
Iba Adams made these remarks during the commissioning ceremony, which was officially performed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amba Property Ltd., Otunba Wole Ogunbayo.
The event was graced by royal fathers, including Oba Hakeem Agbaosi, Eweobaja 1, the Alaguda of Aguda; Oba Olusegun Benson, the Olojodu of Ojodu land; and other dignitaries.
He noted that the efforts which had now borne fruit were the result of a strong determination to establish “a permanent secretariat.”
The Yoruba generalissimo recalled many challenges he and his organization faced, including frequent evictions from rented offices in Palm Avenue, Ikeja, and other locations.
He explained that these difficulties ultimately led him to relocate the OPC office to its current site, which he had long purchased and paid for.
The construction of the building was funded through “contributions from members and our organizations in the diaspora, the Oodua Progressive Union, and OPC.”
“I narrated how we started with an office in Palm Avenue along Ikorodu Road, moving from Onipanu to Palmgroove, from Palmgroove to John Olugbo Street, Ikeja, and finally to this current location.
We faced numerous challenges, but our determination to secure a permanent secretariat drove us forward,” he said.
“This office reflects the offices of the Oodua People’s Congress, Oodua Progressive Union, Olokun Festival Foundation, South West Security Stakeholders, and others,” he added.
Iba Adams also revealed that, to further promote Yoruba culture and traditions, the socio-cultural groups under his leadership have several completed and ongoing projects across the Southwest states.
These include an 800-capacity hall in Olusoga Street, Mushin, Lagos, and a hotel on Abeokuta Street, Ogun State.
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“We have many projects underway. Each state in the Southwest must have a hall to host our events,” he said.
The Yoruba generalissimo thanked the Yoruba monarchs for their continued support and prayed for their continued success.
After performing the official commissioning, Otunba Ogunbayo expressed his pleasure at being part of the event and praised the OPC men across the region for their dedication to ensuring effective security.
He described the newly commissioned Oodua House as a remarkable edifice and a role model in Nigeria for projecting the cultural identity of the people.
“The edifice is outstanding and serves as a role model in Nigeria, reflecting the traditions and cultures of the people,” he said.