The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Global Convener of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), Iba Gani Adams, has formally launched OPU Canada. The event which was held in Toronto, had in attendance Nigerians who are core professionals in the country.
‘’It is with great honour and delight that I welcome you all to the inaugural ceremony of the Canada chapter of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU). Today’s event is a fulfillment of the dream to expand the frontiers of our group to Canada and the rest of the world’ Adams said while delivering his inaugural speech.
‘’The last inauguration was held in South Africa, and it was a big success. Our experience in South Africa was interesting and I hope we shall all have an exciting experience also here in Canada. I have prepared this speech with two reasons in mind.
First, as we progress from one country to another, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all members of the OPU in all the 83 countries across the world’’, he added.
He pointed out that ‘’efforts should be made to project the country positively to the world. We need to tell the Nigerian story to the rest of the world. And in doing this, we all have a role to play in making this dream a reality’’.
‘’The journey to inaugurate the first chapter of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) began in Britain in 2011; beginning with Indian in November 2012.That was how it all began seven years ago, with South Africa being our last point of call. Today we are in Canada, one of the most successful countries in the world. The success displayed by Canada did not come so cheap; it is all about the enduring legacies of the founding fathers since its independence in July 1867’’, while explaining how OPU started.
‘’Canada is today the toast of many travelers because of the huge transformation in the country. The lasting structure in education, health, social security and infrastructure are the things that keep the nation far ahead of other North American countries. What we see today in Canada is not accidental, it was a sacrifice and calculated effort of the leaders, who believed strongly in changing the fortunes and narratives of the country positively. It was based on the fulfillment of the social contract between the leaders and the followers’’.
