By Chinyere Aruogu
Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos has said his relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is cordial and that there is no need to disrespect the Ooni contrary to the video making the rounds in the social media which portrays Oba Akiolu to have snubbed the Ooni of Ife at a public function in Lagos on Wednesday, April 26.
Contrary to claims, Oba Akiolu said his gesture to the Ooni was the culturally acclaimed way of greeting a monarch in Lagos, a culture his regime is working hard to revive given the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba in the country.
Oba Akiolu’s position was explained on Thursday, April 27 by one of his white cap chiefs, Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, the Opeluwa Onido of Lagos.
Ajose said Oba Akiolu did not ignore Ooni of Ife at the public function as being misconceived by people, noting that the Oba of Lagos’s response to the Ooni was the culturally acclaimed way of greeting by a monarch in Lagos.
He reiterated that Oba Akiolu is trying to revive the culture and tradition of ancient Lagos, which he said is peculiar to the State. “Other tribes also have their peculiar ways of greeting”, he said.
Ajose’s words: “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.”
Ajose added that the relationship between both Yoruba kings is both peaceful and mutual.
“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,” he said:
Ajose said Oba Akiolu met with his reverred chiefs in the palace to rub minds on the need to clarify the misconception and address the public appropriately 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.”