The Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has debunked reports suggesting that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conferred the title of “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” on any individual.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the monarch described the claims as false, stressing that the Ooni remains more preoccupied with unity, development, and the progress of the Odùduwà race than engaging in petty disputes over minor chieftaincy titles.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ooni has never conceived it, talk less of installing anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. We therefore challenge anyone with verifiable evidence that Ooni has traditionally or culturally installed such a title on anyone to present it to the public,” the statement read.
The Oore explained that the Ooni’s authority as the natural father of the Yoruba race and spiritual head of the Odùduwà race worldwide transcends beyond Yorubaland, stretching to the Itsekiri in Delta, the Benin Kingdom, the Ga and Ashanti tribes in Ghana, as well as the Luo in Uganda.
He emphasized that the Ooni has conferred only three official territorial titles since ascending the throne, namely the Odole Oodua, Iyalaje Oodua, and Yeye Oodua, bestowed on Sir Dr Adebutu Kensington, Princess Dr Toyin Kolade, and Erelu Abiola Dosumu respectively.
According to him, Oba Ogunwusi’s energy has been invested in initiatives such as the Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos, Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Hub in Ile-Ife, Ojaja University in Ilorin, and Ojaja Parks and Hotels across Yoruba land, all of which have created thousands of jobs for youths.
“The Ooni does not distribute titles frivolously. His vision is to unify our people across Nigeria and Africa who trace their origin to Ile-Ife for peace, progress, and development that far transcend such narrow contestations,” the Oore maintained.
The statement further advised the public to demand clarity on the Supreme Court judgment allegedly referenced by the Alaafin’s palace, insisting it should not be misapplied to the sacred stool of the Ooni.
“The House of Odùduwà remains committed to peace, unity, and prosperity across Yorubaland and beyond,” the Oore concluded.
