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Tag: Oba Akiolu

  • Oba Akiolu showers blessings on Igbo

    Oba Akiolu showers blessings on Igbo

    Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu has showered his blessing on Igbo in Lagos.

    He spoke in his palace when he received some Igbo leaders at a victory palace to mark the victory of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The party was held to commemorate Ambode’s swearing-in, which held earlier that day at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

    High Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu (Obosi) quoted the Oba as, among other thing, praying for the success of the Igbo in Lagos at the event in the presence of titled chiefs.  Different ethnic groups and religious leaders were also present. Oba Akiolu began pouring blessings upon the Igbo. He said: “They said I hate the Igbo, as a royal father, I’m mandated by oath to show love to every person irrespective of the state or nation you come from; but what I’m saying is that they should not exceed their limit. As the Oba of Lagos, irrespective of my position, I have my limit and will never exceed it.

    “Truly, Lagos belongs to all, but it has origin and owners. Therefore, what will not be acceptable to you, please do not do it in Lagos State.

    “Ndigbo, it shall be well with you, and your childrens’ children, the fertile land of Lagos shall continue to bless you.

    “You shall grow old, you shall not bury your children; instead your children shall bury you at old age. Most importantly, we shall live with love and in peace as one people without a separate country, but only one nation Nigeria.”

    Immediately after Oba Akiolu’s prayers, the crowd, including Ndieze Igbo, their titled chiefs and the Lagos State white cap chiefs went into dancing.

    The Igbo monarchs were ushered into the Oba’s living room where they were treated to different kinds of foods and drinks.

    The leader of the delegation, Chief Ekwerekwu (Obosi) who is an Igbo stakeholder and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, said by the Oba’s statement, it is glaring that he never hated the Igbo.

    He added: “Kabiyesi is a philanthropist who has feelings for the downtrodden. He stands by his words and never pretends. And according to him, Kabiyesi has been helpful to so many Igbo in different areas, including himself.

  • What Oba Akiolu said at meeting with Igbo chiefs, by lawyer

    What Oba Akiolu said at meeting with Igbo chiefs, by lawyer

    Lagos-based lawyer and Industrialist Chukwudi Atueyi yesterday gave vivid details of what transpired at a meeting between some Igbo leaders and Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Akiolu, following which the traditional ruler was alleged to have made a controversial coment about the Igbo.

    Atueyi, who regretted the uproar that followed the meeting, said Oba Akiolu’s statement was not directed at the Igbo in Lagos but jocularly to his Igbo friends that visited him.

    He said: “All the Eze Ndi Igbo honorary chiefs in Lagos went to pay the Oba a solidarity visit on Sunday and I was fortunate to be among those present.

    What the Oba said was fully and simply directed to only the Igbo present at the meeting who his majesty considered to be very close to him and should understand him well enough.

    “You know when one talks to his very close friends and subjects, he tends to be very free with them, so he was being very free with those present at the meeting and wanted us to realize how serious and close he takes us and our votes, because he cannot imagine us giving him our words only to turn back and do the very opposite.

    “He did not force us to the meeting, we were the ones that went to him on solidarity visit, so it would be very evil of us to only go and deceive him there. He only jokingly (at least as it appeared to me then) warned the people present at the meeting who he considers his own people. The said warning that we are supposed to be very conversant with since we have all the “Ëze Ndi Igbo” present there, as that was not the first time we visited him, we are all already aware of the Yoruba culture and understood perfectly what he mean there was no specific place he referred to “all the Igbo in Lagos.”

    “He was only addressing the Igbos with him present there whom he considers his own people and he simply observed his culture which we all quite understood very well and this explains why there was applause and laughter at the end of his speech. We were expected to, thereafter, talk to our people in civilized manner to convince them and canvass for their votes if we truly believe we are capable of doing so.

    “The tradition of lagoon water threat was directed only to those present there at the meeting jokingly as culture demands, though he appeared serious but we all understood it as a joke, that was why we all applauded him and made fun of it there.

    “So I suspect serious politics at play here. I wouldn’t know who recorded the speech and decided to play politics with it. It is most unfair to his majesty to be portrayed in this manner and I think I owe it as a duty to speak up before things get out of hand.

    “I strongly suspect that all this is being portrayed in this manner simply to curry votes for the Saturday’s coming election. This is capable of making the people who could have been initially indifferent in performing their civic responsibility to now go out of anger and vote against the Oba’s advise in order to dare the Oba.”

  • I never threatened Igbo over Ambode, says Oba of Lagos

    I never threatened Igbo over Ambode, says Oba of Lagos

    The Oba of Lagos has denied a statement credited to him that any Igbo who refuses to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, would drown in the Lagoon.

    A statement by his spokesman, the Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, said Oba Akiolu’s use of the word “lagoon” was proverbial and was never intended as a threat against the Igbo in Lagos.

    The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to a publication in a national newspaper where HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu was alleged to have threatened Igbo in Lagos to make them vote for Ambode.

    “Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akiolu. At the meeting, the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and cooperation with Igbo in Lagos.

    “They assured him of their continued good neighborliness with other tribes in Lagos and support everything that’ll further strengthen that harmony.

    “Oba Akiolu on his part acknowledged the enviable performance of Governor Fashola and his contribution to the growth of investments in Lagos.

    “He gave the assurance that he is not disturbed or angry with the Southeast and Southsouth votes for President Goodluck Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbos.

    “The Oba thereafter called on the Igbo chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they had earlier promised.

    “He assured them of his continued support and assistance where needed and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolanut, alligator pepper and bitter kola and pouring of libation on the ground.

    “It was within this context that the tradition of Lagos with regard to the lagoon came up. It was noted that whoever works against the throne and the interest and peaceful co-existence of Lagos would end up in the lagoon as per tradition.

    “Oba Akiolu stated further that the Igbo people have not betrayed the throne. Lagos has also not betrayed the Igbo people. Lagos has done so much to make the Igbo comfortable and to prosper.

    “For this, we expect reciprocal respect and understanding. The Oba of Lagos prays that the lagoon and the throne will continue to bless and protect all those who reside and visit Lagos.

    “Oba Akiolu is the father of all, irrespective of tribe, religion or political persuasion. In Lagos, we have an old traditional proverb that relates to the Lagoon. The Lagoon is unique to Lagos.

    “The proverb stresses the need for unity and understanding when you do business in an environment and in this case when you live and do business in Lagos. Oba Akiolu prays for peace for the land of Lagos and prosperity for all its inhabitants.”

  • I have not endorsed any presidential candidate – Akiolu

    I have not endorsed any presidential candidate – Akiolu

    Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, on Thursday said he has not endorsed any presidential candidate ahead of next month’s election, stating that God will give Nigeria the best among the lot.

    Akiolu made this disclosure during an interview at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, while attending the commissioning of four Nigerian Navy ships by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He was reacted to speculations that he has endorsed the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, describing as false, the rumour being peddled in the social media.

    “Who gave you that rumour? Who said so? Some of the things they are writing, like that former Minister Obanikoro, I went to his aged mother that they should warn him seriously. For the presidency, I support the best person.

    “If I want to do something I do not pretend, God almighty Allah will give the presidency to the people Nigerians want to do the best for this country.

    Akiolu used the opportunity to reiterate his support for the candidature of APC’s Akinwunmi Ambode for Lagos governor, adding that he acted on God’s wisdom in picking Ambode.

    “I have my reason for saying it and I do not hide it. I acted on God’s wisdom and picked Akinwunmi Ambode and by the grace of God, he will be the governor of this state.”

    The monarch took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, accusing the former of crying foul after all his evil deeds.

    He commended the President for the new acquisitions for the navy, adding “the very energy which God gave them to do this, they should do many other things for the country so that all will be well with us.”

    Akiolu, who said the Dockyard, a large area of land was collected from the noble family in the colonial days without compensation, urged the federal government to do something in order to solve the inherited problem.

    On election postponement, he said the reason given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was acceptable, adding that he was hopeful the elections will hold come March 28 and April 11.

     

  • I will shake Nigeria after 2015 elections – Akiolu

    I will shake Nigeria after 2015 elections – Akiolu

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, on Monday vowed to make startling revelations that will shake the country after the 2015 general election.

    Akiolu’s outburst at the public presentation of a book: “Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa,” authored by Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan was in response to a statement credited to the Ooni of Ife, ‎Oba Okunade Sijuade, that only two out of the country’s renowned monarchs are free of corruption.

    Akiolu said he would reveal top secrets that cannot be disputed by those who think their hands are clean, but refused to give further details when approached after the event.

    He lambasted the monarch who alleged that he lifted oil and collected contract during the  late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, noting that he was a serving policeman in that era.

    On the issue of corruption, Akiolu said over 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt, adding that the way out was for all hands to be on deck.

    “I will shake this nation after the election in February. The man who made the statement that I lifted oil should cover his face in shame because I was still a serving police officer. Those who collected Abacha money know themselves and I will quote witnesses.

    “Let us stop apportioning blames, forget the past and work towards a better future for this country.

    “Do not put 100 percent blame on President Goodluck Jonathan because the person who caused the problem knows himself,” said Akiolu.

    Continuing, the monarch reassured that elections cannot be rigged in Lagos, adding that Lagosians were fully prepared to ensure that their votes and good governance count‎.

    “Nigeria’s problem is not caused by one person. We should be closer to God and make things better. We must assist the government to end the challenges of insurgency and Ebola,” he said.

    Meanwhile, chairman of the occasion, Femi Falana (SAN) and All Progressives Congress’ (APC) spokesman, Lai Mohammed, accused President Jonathan of fuelling corruption by romancing his appointees accused of corrupt practices.

    Falana while acknowledging that the present administration has recorded a milestone in recovering over $2.9 billion of Abacha’s loots, noted that the government was yet to account for the whereabouts of the funds.

    ‎Commending the author for a great job, Falana said corruption has crept into all facets of national life, noting that the government has not treated the issue of Ebola or insurgency in accordance with the law.

    “The author ‎looked at the issues of corruption and human rights in Africa and wonderfully linked them. Human rights are not respected because of massive corruption on the continent.

    “The government is not addressing the Ebola crisis under the law. There is a Quarantine Act‎ enacted in 1926, which says carriers of dreadful diseases should be fished out and quarantined.

    “But at the moment, we do not know how many people are affected in the country.

    “Also, Boko Haram is being fought in a corrupt way. All dead soldiers’ names are unknown, immediately a soldier dies, his family is ejected from the barracks within two weeks.

    “Jonathan’s administration has killed the good works against corruption. It is only the Abacha family that has been harassed of all those accused of corruption and it is because he is no longer alive.

    “No country has succeeded in receiving loot like Nigeria. We have done well in tracing the over 140 Abacha bank accounts across the world and we have recovered $2.9 billion although we cannot trace the recovered money,” said Falana.

  • Unite against Boko Haram, Oba Akiolu tells parties

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu has urged political parties to unite against Boko Haram insurgency.

    Speaking at his palace while receiving the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, the Oba said that traditional rulers in the North have tried in containing the menace.

    He said the solution to Boko Haram is for party leaders of all parties to come together and involve local leaders in addressing the unnecessary and unjustified killings being perpetrated by the terrorists.

    The Oba also urged journalists to write stories that build and unite the country, adding that Nigeria needs prayer and support of all.

    He emphasised that the unity of Nigeria is paramount, just as he adviced those clamouring to drag former Army Chief, General Azubuike Ihejirika before the International Criminal Court, to desist from such actions.

    The Oba maintained that Ihejirika has done so well to ensure unity and stability of the country, adding that his good deeds should not be misrepresented.

    “Let us be frank with ourselves, the traditional rulers in the north have tried. It is now left for political leaders, this is for all the parties, not necessarily the ruling party to come together and involve local leaders to ensure these unnecessary killings are brought to an end. Definitely it will work.

    Akiolu re-echoed the need for a national security policy for Nigeria, just as he noted that adequate budget be provided security agencies.

    “There should be more allocation for security agencies. I had to write personally to the National Assembly when I watched the Inspector General of Police (IGP) addressing the Senate on the slashed police budget.

    “There is no patriotism on empty stomach. The security agencies need adequate budget to face challenges as they arise.

    “I have discussed it (National Security Policy) with the Head of State and top security Chiefs. I have no doubt in my mind that it is just a matter of time and all this unjustified killings will be aborted.

    “What I know is that islamic religion is of peace and does not encourage any killing or violence. All will be well with our collective support,” the Oba said.

    On the national conference, Oba Akiolu urged delegates to be honest with sincerity of purpose and not for selfish reasons.

    “It is a spirit of give and take and if we have that spirit, all will be well with us. If we say the British people did one thing or the other, they have left us now since 1960. It is now physicians, heal thy self.”

    The Oba urged citizens to provide useful information and collaborate with the navy to fight crude oil theft and piracy.

    He said: “The security people do not have magic, it is information, corporation that they work with. So, everybody must be involved and play their parts well.”

    Oba Akiolu further advised security agents to shun petition writing describing same as an act of cowardice.

    Jibrin who told the monarch he was in Lagos on a familiarisation tour, commended Akiolu for his contribution towards the emplacement of conducive maritime environment for the nation’s economic growth.

    The CNS also visited naval units and formations across the state, where he addressed officers and ratings on the way forward for the force.

    He told them to ensure they live up to their responsibility by reducing criminality in the maritime environment, pledging to reward hardwork.

    “I will reward hardwork and punish those found wanting and in doing either of them. I shall remain your friend because no one shall be punished unjustifiably.

    “I hold this office on trust for all naval personnel and the civilian populace. The confidence and trust bestowed on me by President Goodluck Jonathan in the appointment shall be held high.

    “No leader rises above the collective intellect of those he leads, hence, I seek the loyalty and corporation of everyone of you because this navy belongs to us all.

    “We must strive to put in our best at all task to ensure we deliver on our mandate. I have thoroughly digested the handover notes and held meetings with principal staff of the navy.

    “The task ahead are enormous but sumountable. We will ensure there is successionist plan and whoever becomes the CNS after me will be known.

    “We need to reposition the navy and should not leave the succession to CNS to political godfathers or officers who know their way.

    “Anyone who will rise to succeed me would have been known through his exhibition of the core values of the navy-integrity, patriotism and team work,” he said.

    The CNS also warned navy personnel to shun tribal sentiments, adding “the choice is yours to either remain hardworking or be left behind.

    “I will not condone indiscipline, oil theft, piracy, laziness, rumour mongering and other vices that are unhealthy in the maritime environment as CNS.”