THE Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has cleared the air on the video in the social media being misconstrued as snubbing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at a public function in Lagos.
One of the white cap chiefs, the Opeluwa Onido of Lagos, Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, said the Lagos traditional ruler greeted the Ooni in the cultural way of Lagos, adding that he did not ignore the Ife traditional ruler at the public function as being misconceived.
“Oba Akiolu’s response to Ooni is the culturally-acclaimed way of greeting by a monarch in Lagos. 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. 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,” he said.
According to Ajose, “there is no misunderstanding between the two traditional rulers in Yorubaland.”
According to him, the relationship between both Yoruba kings was 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 added.
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 and meet minds before addressing the public on the matter.
“There is no sentiment in the culture of Lagos. As we met it, that is the way we are doing it. 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, most especially by traditional rulers,” he said.
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