A prominent Ibadan monarch, Abass Oloko has faulted the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi for allegedly adopting the Emir traditional title associated with Northern Nigeria.
Oloko, who criticized the title adoption by Akanbi, stated that the remark denigrate the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people while urging him to desist from such utterance.
He emphasized that the Yoruba monarchy has its own well-established titles and customs that must be preserved and respected, warning that any attempt to mimic other cultural identities could lead to confusion and disunity among the people.
The Ibadan Mogaji further stated that the Yoruba people are proud of their culture and monarchy, which is among the oldest and most organized in Africa. He stressed that any Yoruba Oba referring to himself with a foreign title undermines the authority and dignity of the traditional council.
According to Oloko, “We have kings, not emirs in Yorubaland. The title of ‘Emir’ does not belong to us, and any attempt to import it into our culture is a distortion that must be resisted. Oba Akanbi should be called to order before he causes further embarrassment to the Yoruba race.”
He urged the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, as well as the Yoruba Elders Council, to take necessary steps to caution the Oluwo before the situation escalates and further damages the image of Yoruba leadership.
The Mogaji also called on other Yoruba monarchs to reaffirm their commitment to the preservation of traditional values and uphold the honor that comes with their revered positions. He maintained that leadership should be rooted in cultural pride and historical continuity.
In conclusion, Oloko appealed to Oba Akanbi to retrace his steps and embrace the true essence of Yoruba royalty, reminding him that traditional rulers are custodians of culture and not entertainers seeking attention through controversial declarations.
