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Tag: Oba of Lagos

  • 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.”

  • Seun Kuti defends Oba of Lagos

    Seun Kuti defends Oba of Lagos

    Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, has fiercely come to the defense of Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, over the purported comments credited to him. The Lagos monarch, before the denial of the statement by the palace, was quoted to have threatened Lagos-based Igbos who wouldn’t vote the APC Lagos governorship candidate, Akinwumi Ambode, in Saturday’s election, with drowning.

    “Who are these people lying against the throne of Lagos?” Seun Kuti asked on his Facebook page. “I am sure the Oba of Lagos didn’t say those words cos if he did his days on the throne are numbered. For he is a father to all children and a host to all guests!”

    An online publication, Freedom Online, was quoted as reporting that the Oba of Lagos had threatened the Igbos over the guber election.

    Engaging his fans in the conversation, Seun Kuti, who is as fearless as his late father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti on political issues, said he trusts the Oba and believes the whole show is another trick of the PDP, APC’s leading opposition.

    “I don’t have to wait for that to be refuted I can already see it’s the usual PDP dirty politics,” he wrote.

    In an earlier post, Seun Kuti had written: “The callousness of the PDP is unrelenting oooo. Imagine the Igbos agreed yesterday to abandon a sinking ship and then the PDP tries to sell a lie that they will be drowned by the rescue boats. Isn’t that just wicked?”

  • Oba of Lagos reacts to alleged threat to Igbos

    Oba of Lagos reacts to alleged threat to Igbos

    Following the statement credited to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, where he was alleged to have threatened the Igbos in Lagos to vote the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Akinwumi Ambode or die in lagoon, the monarch in the statement below made clarification on the alleged threat.

     

    THE PALACE MAKES FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON THE STATEMENT BY THE OBA OF LAGOS.
    My attention has been drawn to a publication in a national newspaper where HRM Oba Riliwanu Akinolu was alleged to have threatened Igbos in Lagos to make them vote for Ambode.

    Last Sunday, all honorary Eze Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy call to HRM Oba Akinolu. At the meeting the visitors praised the Oba for his fatherly support for and cooperation with Igbos 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 South-East and South- South votes for President Jonathan as perceived by the Eze Ndigbos. The Obas thereafter called on the Igbos chiefs to show appreciation to Lagos State by supporting his candidate Mr. Ambode for continuity of excellence as they have earlier promised.

    He assured them of his continued support? and assistance where needed and the meeting ended with the traditional breaking of kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter kola and pouring of liberation on the ground. It was within this context that 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.

    2.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 Igbos 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.

    3. 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.
    Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos
    April 6, 2015

     

     

  • Nobody can intimidate us, Oba of Lagos warns AIG Mbu

    Nobody can intimidate us, Oba of Lagos warns AIG Mbu

    The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 11, has warned the new Assistant Inspector of Police(AIG) in charge of  Zone 2  Police Headquarters,Lagos, Mr Joseph Mbu to desist from any attempt to intimidate the people of Lagos as he earlier did in Rivers State, when he was police commissioner.

    Akiolu gave the warning yesterday, while receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate,General Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation in his palace.

    The traditional ruler who urged people of Lagos to cooperate with security agencies, warned Mbu, saying:  “Nobody can intimidate us. Let it be clear that Lagos is not Port Harcourt.”

    “Though police redeployment is normal during elections, but any policeman that comes here to cause trouble will fail. I and my people will give him a matching order.”

    He  said police officers should not be partisan, adding that  “police should do their constitutional role without bias.

    He said: “I want to sound a word of warning to security agencies. If anybody comes here to come and cause trouble he will fail. Others have tried and failed. Sometimes back, someone (a police officer) was posted here and he attacked  me and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I told him (police officer) he will fail and he did fail,” the monarch said.

    He however urged the people of Lagos to cooperate with the security agencies for the general well-being of the state.

    “I urged my people to cooperate with the police and the army to do their job. I want all my people to be peaceful and law-abiding. All shall be well with us,” he said.

    The monarch said Lagos State has suffered under the PDP-led Federal Government since the return of civil rule in 1999. He described Buhari as an upright, honest and dedicated gentleman who meant well for the country.

    “Lagos won’t ever lag behind again in the forthcoming dispensation. I know the ability of Buhari. He is very passionate about this country and he will deliver,”  he added.

  • God knows who’s best for Nigeria, says Oba of Lagos

    God knows who’s best for Nigeria, says Oba of Lagos

    Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan should not be blamed for the country’s problems.

    Oba Akiolu, who spoke while receiving the president at his Iga Iduganran palace, said fighting corruption was the responsibility of every Nigerian.

    “What will be, will be; God Almighty will give the best person the opportunity to lead this country.

    “Mr. President, God knows the best. I am happy. What I want are free and fair elections.

    “I am happy that Mr. President directed INEC to ensure that voters’ cards are distributed to every eligible member of the electorate,’’ he said.

    He urged INEC to ensure distribution of voter cards, saying that Lagos had more than six million eligible voters.

    The monarch urged that security agents should not be unfairly used against any citizen during the general elections.

    According to him, both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Akinwunmi Ambode, are his children.

    He said he had presented Mr. Ambode’s candidature for God’s blessing at the 2014 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, but noted that God would always have the final say.

    The Oba was confident that Nigeria would be more united after the elections.

    Oba Akiolu accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of not treating Lagos well during his administration and leaving many problems unsolved in the country.

    Jonathan, who was accompanied by Vice President Namadi Sambo, PDP chair Adamu Mu’azu and other leaders, visited the Oba before their campaign.

    Jonathan said his administration had revived rail transport system, improved road network, created jobs and implemented policies aimed at economic advancement, among other achievements.

  • Spanish Navy re-visits Nigeria

    Spanish Navy re-visits Nigeria

    A Spanish Navy Ship, MV RAYO, is scheduled to visit the Western Naval Command of the Nigeria Navy from June 30 to July 3.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Information Officer, Lt.-Cdr. Jerry Omodara, and made available to journalists on Friday in Lagos.

    According to the statement, the ship will be received on arrival at midstream by Nigeria Navy Ship NNS ANDONI, and she will escort her to berth at the Naval Base Apapa– NNS Beecroft.

    The statement said that while in Nigeria, the ship company would conduct training onboard with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, on damage control.

    “Other activities include courtesy calls by the Commanding Officer of the Ship to the Oba of Lagos, the Flag Officers Commanding Western Naval Command and Naval Training Command,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Navy spokesman as saying in the statement.

    The statement said the Spanish and Nigerian Navies would also have a joint press briefing and sporting activities.