Akiolu: I greeted ooni of Ife in accordance with the culture of Lagos

Rilwan Akiolu, the oba of Lagos, says he did not shun the greeting of Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the ooni of Ife, at a recent public function.

A viral video had shown the monarch failing to acknowledge the greeting of the ooni of Ife at an event in Lagos.

But Akiolu, speaking through Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, one of his chiefs, said the perceived snubbing of the ooni of Ife was the cultural way of greeting by a monarch in Lagos.

“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. There is no misunderstanding between both highly revered monarchs in Yoruba Land,” he said.

“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.

“There is no sentiment in the culture of Lagos. As we met it that is the way we are doing it. Kabiyesi 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 carried out most especially by traditional rulers. Yoruba has a very rich culture. There is no quarrel between the Oba of Lagos and Ooni of Ife.”