“I Never Said Benin Owned Lagos” – Oba Akiolu Of Lagos Reveals
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has come out to debunk claims that he said that the Benin people owned Lagos.
The monarch spoke in Victoria Island, Lagos, at the launch of “Defend the Defenseless”, a book written by Arese Carrington, wife of a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington.
Oba Akiolu was reacting to controversies generated by his earlier remarks that the developmental strides being witnessed in Lagos State was because of the blessings given to it by a past Oba of Benin.
The comment generated debates in the media with many contesting the monarch’s position.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH, Sammy Adebiyi, a prince of the Akinsemoyin Ruling House of Lagos, who is contesting rights to the throne of Oba of Lagos, said that the Awori are the original owners of Lagos.
Mr. Adebiyi added that neither the Benin nor the Yoruba owned Lagos.
Apparently making reference to reactions generated by his earlier comments, Oba Akiolu on Monday took shots at those who criticised him, saying many of them are not “bonafide sons of Lagos.”
The monarch promised to reply his critics by next year when he begins celebration of his 15th year on the throne as king.
“I never said Bini owned Lagos… but the influence of the Oba of Benin, nobody can wash it away in Lagos,” he said.
“You must have been reading many things in the newspapers. By the grace of God Almighty Allah, next year when I begin to celebrate my 15th anniversary, they will know the kind of person Oba Akiolu is.”
The monarch also commended the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, saying nobody can stop him in his political aspirations.
More Stories
MAN ARRESTED FOR KILLING THREE-DAY-OLD SON IN ADAMAWA
The Adamawa State Police Command said it arrested a 19-year-old man, Aliyu Yaro, on Friday, for allegedly killing his three-day-old...
ACF RAISES ALARM, CALLS FOR SWIFT ACTION AGAINST NEW TERROR GROUP “LAKURAWA” IN NORTHWEST
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for swift action against a new terror group, “Lakurawa,” reportedly active in the...
NAF AIRSTRIKES ANNIHILATE TERRORISTS IN KEBBI, ZAMFARA
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, on Sunday, said several terrorists in Kebbi and Zamfara states were killed in separate air...
NSCDC DEPLOYS 6,000 OFFICERS FOR ONDO GUBER
In preparation for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps...
CAR THEFT SYNDICATE BUSTED IN FCT, POLICE APPREHEND KEY SUSPECT
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have busted a car theft syndicate responsible for receiving, rebranding, and selling...
PHOTOS: SANWO-OLU HOSTS CJN, JUSTICE KUDIRAT KEKERE-EKUN TO DINNER IN LAGOS
By: Ajape Sefiu A. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosted a dinner in honour of the Nigerian...