Oba Of Lagos Defends Stool In Court

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has insisted before an Ikeja High Court, on Tuesday that he remains the rightfully elected monarch of Lagos.

This he disclosed at the resumed hearing of a suit challenging his right to the throne as Oba of Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 22, 2017 the last adjournment day which was a day to the 14-year anniversary of his coronation on May 23, 2003 as the Oba of Lagos, Akiolu, citing historical sources, had told the court that he is the bona fide monarch of the state.

Akiolu’s title is being challenged by Prince Adedoyin Adebiyi and Prince Rasheed Modile who are both of the Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos.

NAN also recalls that Adebiyi and Modile were candidates chosen by the Akinsemoyin Ruling House to contest the Obaship title in 2003 after the demise of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, the then Oba of Lagos in 2003.

They lost the race to Akiolu who they alleged had no rightful claim to the throne.

Joined in the suit as respondents are the state governor and the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Prince Awobade Pearse,

Others are the representative of the Ologun Kutere Ruling House and Chief J.J Junaid – Eko and the head of the traditional white cap chiefs of Lagos.

Other respondents include Prince Kola Balogun and Mr Musibau Kelani, who are the respectively the Head and Secretary of the Eshilokun Royal Family.

While being cross examined by Mr Babatunde Fashanu (SAN), Akiolu reasserted that the age-long traditional customs and traditions were followed in his selection as an oba.

Responding to claims that he was elected less than 90-days after the demise of Oyekan which is contrary to customs, Akiolu said that such a rule was non– existent.

“There have been 21 Obas of Lagos before the late Oba Oyekan, in the Lagos State selection of Obas, there is no 90-day rule.

“By the grace of God, I am a lawyer, I am duty bound to speak the truth, I have a duty to assist the court.

“The 90-day rule does not exist in the selection of Obas,”he said.

Akiolu disputed the claims of Adebiyi and Modile that he was not a descendant of Oba Ologun Kutere, a former Oba of Lagos who reigned from the late 1700s to the early 1800s.

“Oba Ologun Kutere had five children, one of which was Akiolu, Akintoye was the last child and Akiolu and Olusi were the older children.

“Akintoye was three months old when Oba Ologun Kutere died, I don’t know how old Akiolu was when his father died.

“By the grace of God, I am a direct descendant of Akiolu Ologun Kutere.”

When asked by Fashanu to state in order of seniority, the children of Oba Ologun Kutere, Akiolu retorted “I don’t know, I don’t work at the births and deaths registry.

“What is important is that Akiolu is the child of Ologun Kutere.

“There have been three members of the Akiolu family who ran for the Oba of Lagos including an Akiolu family member known as Baba Ita-Ado, I can’t remember when he ran and I cannot tell lies.

“All Lagos princes who have no curse placed on them are entitled to run for the kingship, it is however the prerogative of the king makers to choose who will be king.

“Many are called, few are chosen,” he said.

Akiolu noted that his being capped as Oba during his coronation ceremony by a representative of the Eleboro family was not illegal despite the fact that it was not presided over by Chief Eleboro, who personally caps Obas of Lagos.

“Contrary to claims that in the history of Lagos, no Oba has been capped by any person other than Chief Eleboro, Oba Adeniji Adele was capped by Chief Gafir.

“The Eleboro family capped me,”he said.

Akiolu denied holding grudges against individuals who he allegedly disliked by preventing them from succeeding him as the monarch in future.

“The claimants had wanted to meet with me somewhere to sign a document regarding the succession but I refused.

“It is not an individual position; it belongs to the past, present and future.

“All human beings should not hate each other, we are equal in the eyes of God but not equal in our love for God,”Akiolu said.

Justice Adebowale Candide-Johnson adjourned the case until July 5, 6 and 11 for continuation of trial.

NAN

Don’t Fight Over Politicians, They Will Always Reconcile – Oba Akiolu

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has warned Nigerians against fighting over politicians, saying they would always have a way of reconciling their differences behind closed doors.

A statement on Tuesday said Akiolu spoke during the 60th birthday of Mrs. Folashade Ashafa, the wife of the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

According to him, “His Imperial Majesty said while people would take sides with politicians and develop enmity and grudges for supporters of rival parties, the politicians never take their differences personal and always know how to reconcile behind closed doors.

“He, therefore, advised all Nigerians to learn how to allow politicians settle their differences without interference or unnecessary sensationalisation of issues.

“Oba Akiolu spoke glowingly of the woman and her husband, saying Senator Gbenga Ashafa could only have achieved much because he had a good wife who gave him peace and kept the home front solid.”

The statement said the event, which held at the Grand View, Magodo, Lagos, was attended by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola; Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; a former Minister of Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Otun Are Demola Seriki; Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Ehinlokun; and Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, among others.

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

Modern Lagos Was Founded By A Bini Prince – Oba Akiolu of Lagos

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has claimed that Lagos State is not part of Yoruba land.

Akiolu’s statement is coming barely a week after he publicly humiliated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi at an event.

In a statement from Akiolu’s palace, the monarch traced the historical background of the state and why it should not be regarded as part of Yoruba land.

The statement reads: “Coming from the palace, with what I was told by my late paternal grandmother who is a descendant of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi and also reading from factual Historical books, let me share this Knowledge with you all on Eko/Lagos.

“Modern day Lagos was founded by Prince Ado, the son of the Oba of Benin, Prince Ado was the first Oba of Lagos, the son of the Bini King, Prince Ado, named the town Eko until the Portuguese explorer Ruy de Segueira changed the Maritime town to Lagos, which at that time from 1942 was Portuguese expedition center down the African Coast.

“It was a major centre of the slave trade until 1851. Lagos was annexed by Britain via the Lagos treaty of cession in 1861, ending the consular period and starting the British Colonial Period. The remainder of modern day Nigeria was seized in 1886 when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was established in 1914 Lagos was declared its capital due to the struggle of the Bini King.

“Lagos experienced growth prior to the British Colonial rule and even more rapid growth during the Colonial rule throughout the 1960s, 70s, continued through the 80s and 90s till date. Thanks to the Awori’s, Bini’s, Yoruba’s, migrants across the nation and world at large, as no particular group of people can take the glory alone.

“Lagos is made up of Lagoons and creeks. The Lagos lagoon, Lagos Harbour, five cowne creeks, Ebute-Metta creeks, Porto-Novo creeks, New canal, Badagry creeks, Kuramo waters and Light house creeks.

“The Awori’s and Bini’s are known to be the first settlers of the Eko land. The Awori’s are speakers of a distinct dialect close to that of the Yoruba language with a rich Bini mixture. Traditionally, Awori’s were found in Ile-Ife, they were known to be the Bini’s who followed their self-exiled Prince, the first son of the Ogiso (now called Oba) of Benin Kingdom, whose step-mother was after his head.

“The exiled Benin Prince Izoduwa known to the Yorubas as Ooduwa (Oduduwa) was made ruler of the Ife people due to his powers and followers from the Great Benin-Kingdom.

“Izoduwa (Ooduwa) was made the first King of Ile-Ife in 1230 AD. His followers from his father’s Kingdom in Benin are the today’s Awori people who settled in Eko now called Lagos.

“In the 1300, the King of Benin-Empire heard from one of his traders who was a settler in Eko on how the Bini’s were treated by the Awori’s who lived in their area. Upon hearing this, the King of Benin commanded the assembling of a war expedition, led by his son, Prince Ado, which headed the settlement of the Awori’s and demanded explanation.

“On arriving Eko, Prince Ado and his Army were more than received. The Aworis asked the Bini Prince to stay and become their leader. Ado agreed on the condition that they surrender their sovereignty to the Oba of Benin, to which the people agreed. Hearing this, the King of Benin gave his permission for Prince Ado and the expedition to remain in Eko.

“The Oba of Benin sent some of his chiefs including the Eletu, Odibo, Obanikoro and others to assist his son, Oba Ado in the running of Eko.

“From the crowing of Prince Ado as the first Oba of Lagos (then called Eko), Lagos served as a major center for slave trade from which the Aworis, the Oba of Benin and his son the Oba of Lagos and all the children/descendants who took over as his successors for over four centuries supported the trade.

“The Oba of Benin was the head of the Benin Empire which are the present day Western, Southern and Eastern modern day Nigeria. The King never obliged anyone to speak the Bini language as he believed everyone was entitled to their own choice of language.

“The name Eko was given to it by the first king of Lagos, Oba Ado, the young and vibrant Prince from Benin. Eko was the land now known as Lagos Island, where the king palace was built.

“The palace is called Idugaran meaning “palace built on pepper farm” Oba Ado and the warriors from Benin together with the early Bini’s settlers in Eko and the Awori people settled in the southern part of Eko called “Isale Eko”. “Isale literally means bottom “. Must have been used to indicate downtown (as in down town Lagos)

“Until the coming in of the Benin’s 1300AD , Lagos geographical boundary was Lagos mainland, Lagos Island, the seat of the Oba of Lagos then consisted of a pepper farm and fishing post. No one was living there.

“About 1450 AD some Yorubas who hailed from Isheri in Ogun-state and Ekiti were allowed by the King to settle in Eko during a war, they came in a very large numbers thereby surpassing the numbers of the Awori’s and Bini’s. (Hence Yorubas claim to own Eko due to their numbers).

“Oba Ado fell in love with a beautiful woman whose father was Awori and mother a daughter to one of the chief; they had two sons and also a daughter Erelu Kuti, who begot Ologun Kutere who later became King.”

By Seun Opejobi

JUST IN: Oba of Lagos House on Fire

Reports reaching DAILY POST from Lagos has it that the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu is currently on fire.

 

The monarch is said to have been taken to a safe place.

Officials of Lagos state fire service are within the palace trying to put out the inferno.

The real cause of the fire outbreak is still unknown at the moment.

The incident is coming barely one week after the Oba publicly shunned the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

There were claims by a certain Tunde Awoyeni that the palace would invoke the wrath of his ancestors on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

Oba Ogunwusi in his reaction denied planning to curse Oba Akiolu.

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

I Did Not Snub Ooni - Oba of Lagos

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Thursday evening, cleared the air on the video that showed him snubbing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at a public function in Lagos.

Oba Akiolu said his gesture was not ‘snub’ as being dubbed but that it was the culturally acclaimed way of greeting a monarch in Lagos.

Oba​ ​Akiolu​ ​has received several knocks ​over the incident.​

Oba Akiolu spoke through by one of the white cap chiefs of Lagos, Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, who is the Opeluwa Onido of Lagos.

Ajose said the Lagos monarch did not ignore Ooni of Ife at the public function as being misconceived by people.

He said Oba Akiolu’s response to Oba Ogunwusi was the culturally acclaimed way of greeting a monarch in Lagos.

He added that the Lagos King is basically trying to revive the culture and tradition of ancient Lagos, which is peculiar to the State.

Other tribes also have their peculiar ways of greeting, he said.

Ajose stated: “The sign by Oba Akiolu signifies ‘inu mi, inu e’, the culture of greeting in Lagos.

“If Oba Akiolu wanted to ignore, he would have turned his face away from Ooni.

“There is no misunderstanding between both highly revered monarchs in Yorubaland.”

According to Ajose, the relationship between both Yoruba kings is peaceful and mutual.

He said: “Oba Akiolu was well represented at the coronation of Ooni of Ife, which attested to the fact that he does not disregard the office of Ooni Adeyeye.”

Chief Ajose said Oba Akiolu had waited till this time to react to the issue because he had to meet with other chiefs in the palace to rub minds before addressing the public on the matter.

He said: “There is no sentiment in the culture of Lagos. As we met it, that is the way we are doing it.

“Kabiyesi Oba Akiolu is trying to bring back the old pattern, the old culture we have left behind.

“What happened that day was wrongly speculated by the social media to disrupt peace and order and misinterpret Oba Akiolu’s action.

“We just want to appeal to the social media to stop spreading wrong information.

“They should try and understand the reason behind every action carried out, most especially by traditional rulers. “Yoruba has a very rich culture.

“There is no quarrel between the Oba of Lagos and Ooni of Ife.”

By Wale Odunsi

Nigerians Attack Oba of Lagos for embarrassing Ooni of Ife in public

Nigerians have taken to social media, to criticize the Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu, for ignoring the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at a public gathering.

There was an immediate buzz as the Ooni walked into the venue, with one of his aides rushing to wipe his chair clean, but the Oba of Lagos sat uninterested and looked away.

The Ooni shook hands with the Obi of Onitsha and he made to exchange pleasantries with the Oba Akiolu, who only raised his hand indifferently.

The clip has gone viral, with Nigerians not happy with the Lagos monarch’s reaction, with some describing it as “a public disgrace” and “pure disrespect”.

Dalighieri @bunmola2010: When an Oba of Lagos ordinary vassal king to Benin kingdom publicly disrespects an Ooni,just shows how Politics has intruded on tradition.

Olufemi Olanipekun @FMOlanipekun: Not just a fan of the Oba of Lagos. See what he did to the Ooni of Ife in this video. Its akin to a public disgrace

Wale Adetona‏Verified account @iSlimfit: We have thrown our traditions away. Everyone in that room, including the Oba of Lagos ought to rise immediately the Ooni of Ife entered.

Vlad @AbiodunOmonijo: Ooni is the Emperor of Yoruba land. Everybody in that hall, including the Oba of Lagos and all, were supposed to stand as he walked in.

Edo-Wizard @davidoghe: Oba of Lagos is just a political king… I will still pick king kong ahead of him for disrespecting ooni of ife,king of kings in Yorubaland

Ayobami @dondekojo: This is really interesting! Even if there’s serious beef between them, the Oba of Lagos was overly disrespectful to the Ooni here.

Ahmed ibn Mustapha @MrAfobaje: While I completely disagree with the Oba of Lagos on his condescending demeanor towards the Ooni, it would be wrong to blame the Ooni 4 this

Remi Savage @Remmysav: Irrespective of the age of the present Ooni of Ife, in ranking he surpasses the Oba of Lagos. What Oba Akiolu did, is pure disrespect

By Ifreke Inyang