The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun state, Adbulrasheed Akanbi, has denied
saying he wants to henceforth be addressed as the ”Emir of
Yorubaland”.
In a statement released by his media aide, Ali Ibrahim, the monarch
said he did not adopt the title of “Emir of Yorubaland” but that he only
told the ”Hausas and ardent Muslims” in his community to also address
him as Emir and that he sees nothing in answering to the title of Emir
whenever they chose to call him that.
The statement in part reads
“Oluwo has never adopted the Emir title; he only said he could also
be called an Emir by the Hausas and ardent Muslims. Oba Akanbi is an Oba
for the nation, with special attachment to the Yorubas. He promotes
Yoruba culture to the admiration of many youths. Just because of Oluwo
dress code today, many children are attracted to Yoruba culture of
wearing aso ofi. I said so (reference to being an emir) to integrate
Nigeria nation as an indivisible entity. All working tools are available
for the integration and unity of our dear country. I’ve visited the
north several times. Core Hausa hardly pronounce Yoruba words correctly.
They call me emir when I am with them. Is there anything wrong in
answering to such? Even, the Hausa in Iwo here call me emir. Will I stop
them from addressing me as such?” the monarch’s statement read
The monarch has received a lot of backlash since reports surfaced
online that he wanted to be addressed as the Emir of Yorubaland.
Former
Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, went as far as cursing the day the
monarch was born when he read the report of the controversial title.