The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, has explained why he said he could also be called an Emir.
The explanation was contained in a statement on Sunday by the monarch’s media aide, Ali Ibrahim.
Oba Akanbi denied in the statement that he has dropped the title of an Oba for an emir.
Ibrahim said in the statement: “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.”
Oba Akanbi had on Saturday during the installation of Yakub Abdul-Baqi Mohhamed as the Waziri of Yorubaland in his palace in Iwo, said he could also be addressed as the Emir of Yorubaland.
But Ibrahim in the statement quoted the monarch as having said: “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?
“No, I am a father to the nation, being a first-class paramount ruler.”
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