OPC honours dead heroes, gives out cash to widows, children

“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.”

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, is definitely a firm believer in this timeless quote.

This, Iba demonstrated on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, when the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), led by Iba Adams, honoured the souls of the dead members of the group at a beautiful ceremony, held at the Oodua House in Ikeja, Lagos.

Iba Gani Ige Adams addressing the widows

At the event tagged OPC’s Heroes Day, widows and children of the group’s fallen heroes were feted to sumptuous meals and drinks, with cash gifts given to 133 members.

The day would live for long in the memories of the beneficiaries and guests who one after the other showered praises on the Aareonakakanfo and the leadership of the OPC for keeping alive the memories of the dead members.

Addressing the widows, Iba Adams promised to ensure that the contributions of the fallen heroes were not in vain, saying the organization will continue to honour their memories in death.

Iba Gani Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of OPC said the annual event was the 17th edition, adding that little donation given to the widows that were selected from OPC’s chapters from across Nigeria, was the group’s contributions to the welfare of the widows and the children left behind by the dead members of the OPC.

“We are offering these little donations to cater to the needs of the wives of our fallen heroesm” Iba Adams said.

Speaking further, while encouraging the beneficiaries to uphold the legacies left behind by their dead spouses, said: “We don’t refer to them as widows because their breadwinners and husbands were once our members and they deserved the best even in death.

“In Europe and Asia, there are days that are specially designated for the fallen heroes.Every November 1st is the day for the celebration of their heroes in all the 28 countries in Europe as a continents.

“The most important thing is to honour those that died and paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle.

“The women you see here today came from Lagos,Oyo, Ogun, Osun and other states. The token we have gathered from the leadership without any assistance from anybody or group would be shared among them as our widows’ mite because it is more spiritual than physical.”

He charged the windows to trust in God, and train their children in the best way possible in order to make them responsible citizens that will contribute to the development of the country.

The Yoruba generallissimo restated the need to appreciate Yoruba culture and tradition, saying OPC has remained the only organization in Nigeria that has continued to celebrate its heroes.

Also speaking, the Parakoyi Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Prof Kolawole Raheem, said what the OPC is doing with heroes day is a significant way of touching the lives of the widows.

“For OPC to have dedicated a day for the remembrance of the fallen heroes is the best thing that could happen to an organization in the world.I appreciate the gesture and I know it will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the widows”.

Guests at the event include the Aareonakakanfo Chiefs- in-Council, including Atoloye Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land,
Babajide Tanimowo; Asoju Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Yinka Oguntimehin; Barejiro Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland,Dauda Asikolaye; High Chief Segun Ajiboye, former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Princess Ajike Less Privileged Foundation, Queen Ajike; Prophet Ololade David, Sheikh Abdul Mumeen Saliu; Barrister Ahmed Dada Abbass; Cordinator, OPU Egypt, Comrade Saheed Adewole and members of the National Executive Council and National Coordinating Council among others.