I’m Still the Oluwo Of Iwo, I Haven’t Adopted The Title Of An Emir, Oluwo Of Iwo Says
It was reported in the news that the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, has adopted the title of an Emir. The king has however denied the reports saying he has not at any time abandoned the title of the Oluwo of Iwoland.
Speaking through his media aide, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, in a statement issued on Sunday, the Oluwo explained that he had never dropped the title of an Oba for an emir.
The monarch has been dressing like an emir and wearing turban occasionally and he again wore the turban on Saturday when he installed Yakub Abdul-Baqi Mohhamed the Waziri of Yorubaland in his palace in Iwo.
He installed the Waziri, allegedly despite the warning given to him by the League of Imams and Alfas in South West, Edo and Delta states, that he had no such powers to confer an Islamic title, which cuts across the entire South West, on anybody.
The statement read:
“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.
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“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?
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“No, I am a father to the nation, being a first-class paramount ruler.”
The Oba was however critisised by many Nigerians especially the Yorubas on why a sitting traditional ruler will adopt the title of a foreign king.
