Olokun Festival 2022: Gani Adams Reacts To Ravaging Flood In Nigeria And Need To Look Inward(Watch Video)

..Urges FG To Complete Badagry Road, Make Deep Seaport A Reality

The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has urged the Federal Government to urgently complete the Lagos-Badagry Expressway and also ensure that the multi-billion dollar Deep Sea Port project becomes a reality.

The Generalissimo of Yorubaland made the demand at the grand finale of the 2022 edition of Olokun Festival.

At the event at Suntan Beach in Badagry, Lagos State, Iba Gani Adams said the Lagos-Badagry Expressway should have been completed earlier for it to serve its trans-regional role in West Africa, adding that the road is one of the major facilities that can bring the needed development to the ancient town.

The Yoruba Generalissimo, while urging the Federal Government to make the Badagry deep seaport project a reality, stated further that the deep seaport is a multi-billion dollar project that can create employment opportunities for the host community and also attract huge Foreign Direct Investment.

Iba Adams said: “The Badagry Port and Free Zone is a new deep-sea facility in Nigeria that is expected to be the largest deep-sea port in Africa.

“It will include a container terminal, oil and gas services, and a liquid bulk terminal, with cargo and Ro-Ro facilities.

“The multibillion-dollar deep seaport is a project with a lot of prospects for Badagry.

“The Deep Seaport will be a big relief in many ways.

“For instance, it would create employment for about 250,000 Nigerians and attract more Foreign Direct Investment.

Olokun Festival 2022: Gani Adams Reacts To Ravaging Flood In Nigeria And Need To Look Inward(Watch Video)

“The Seaport would also decongest the Apapa ports, which access roads are hampering their huge contributions to the economy.

“Therefore, I urge the Federal Government to urgently work towards completing the project so that Nigerians, especially the host community, could benefit from this multibillion-dollar project.

“In making this dream a reality, the Lagos-Badagry Road also needs to be completed for it to serve its trans-regional role in West Africa.”

Aare Adams also spoke about the Olokun Festival, describing Olokun and Olosa as God’s special gifts to humanity.

He said: “Olokun has the ability to give wealth and prosperity to those who believe in the spiritual divination of the king of water deities.”

Finally, he implored both federal and state governments to look inwards for solutions to ravaging floods across the country.

According to him, Nigeria has never witnessed serious cases of flooding like this. However, stories of flooding in recent times are not limited to Nigeria, this problem is a man-made and human-induced climate crisis.

“With the present situation in the country, I think there is an urgent need for Federal Government to look inwards by addressing both the natural and environmental issues as well as challenges that could prevent such disaster in the nearest future,” Adams stated.

Also, the Guest Lecturer, Dr. Adesanya Hammed, of the Department of African Languages, Literature and Communication Arts, Lagos State University, spoke on the topic: “Socio-Economic, Cultural and Religious Significance of Olokun Deity.”

He said Olokun is a blessing to the world, adding that the ancient town of Badagry has been a major beneficiary of the deity.

The University don stated further that the Yoruba must be ready to tap from the immeasurable blessing of the prominent water deity.

Hammed said: “Tourists and guests usually come to Badagry to celebrate and enjoy the peaceful ambience of the town.

“Olokun deity brings wealth and prosperity to the host community.”

The Akran of Badagry, Oba De Whonu Aholu, in his remarks applauded Aare Adams for promoting the cultural identity of the Yoruba race.

The monarch said: “Aare Gani Adams’s passion for the celebration of Yoruba culture and tradition has been a huge blessing to Badagry town and I am happy that the foundation has impacted the town positively.”

Dignitaries present at the event include; the Alapa of Apa Kingdom, Badagry, Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ajose; monarchs from Republic of Benin; members of the Oodua Progressives Union from Sweden, Canada, and Italy; as well as members of the National Executive Council and National Coordinating Council of the Oodua People’s Congress.

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BY IYABO AINA

Publisher Of News Rain Nigeria