The Oore of Otun-Ekiti and paramount ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has debunked reports that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on anyone.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, the monarch described the reports as a “media attack” aimed at the House of Odùduwà, stressing that Ooni Ogunwusi never conceived nor installed anyone as Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ooni has never conceived it, let alone installing anybody as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland. We therefore challenge anyone with verifiable evidence to present it to the public,” the statement read.
The Oore emphasised that the Ooni, as the Arole Odùduwà and spiritual head of the Odùduwà race worldwide, wields the authority to bestow traditional titles of territorial relevance but has focused instead on unifying the Yoruba and other Odùduwà descendants across Africa.
He noted that since ascending the throne, Ooni Ogunwusi has carried out only three official territorial installations — Odole Oodua, Iyalaje Oodua, Yeye Oodua — conferred on Sir Dr. Adebutu Kensington, Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade and Erelu Abiola Dosumu, respectively.
The statement added that beyond titles, the Ooni has concentrated on developmental projects including the Ojaja Smart City in Ibadan, Inagbe Grand Resort in Lagos, Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Hub, Ojaja University in Ilorin, and various parks and hotels across Yoruba states, creating thousands of jobs for youths.
Read also: Alaafin Disputes Authority of Ooni to Confer Chieftaincy Title
The Oore further cautioned against what he termed a “fruitless struggle for emperorship,” insisting that the era of territorial conquest by monarchs has been replaced globally by constitutional democracy
“The descendants of Odùduwà know their natural father and their origin. Leadership is never by forceful enthronement nor by empty threats, but by service, wisdom, and natural acceptability,” the statement concluded.
The House of Odùduwà reaffirmed its commitment to peace, unity, and sustainable development across Yorubaland and beyond.
