Oba's palace speaks on alleged anti-Igbo comment: "What the Oba Akiolu really said"

The palace of the Oba of Lagos,
Rilwan Akiolu, has issued a
statement, clarifying the Oba’s
statement when Igbo leaders in
Lagos visited him on Sunday.
Read full statement below.
THE PALACE MAKES FURTHER
CLARIFICATION ON THE STATEMENT
BY THE OBA OF LAGOS.
My attention has been drawn to a
publication in a national
newspaper where HRM Oba
Riliwanu Akinolu was alleged to
have threatened Igbos in Lagos to
make them vote for Ambode.
Last Sunday, all honorary Eze
Ndigbos in Lagos paid a courtesy
call to HRM Oba Akinolu. At the
meeting the visitors praised the
Oba for his fatherly support for
and cooperation with Igbos in.
Lagos. They assured him of their
continued good neighborliness
with other tribes in Lagos and
support everything that’ll further
strengthen that harmony.
Oba Akiolu on his part
acknowledged the enviable
performance of Governor Fashola
and his contribution to the
growth of investments in Lagos.
He gave the assurance that he is
not disturbed or angry with
South-East and South- South votes
for President Jonathan as
perceived by the Eze Ndigbos. The
Obas thereafter called on the
Igbos chiefs to show appreciation
to Lagos State by supporting his
candidate Mr. Ambode for
continuity of excellence as they
have earlier promised.
He assured them of his continued
support and assistance where
needed and the meeting ended
with the traditional breaking of
kolas, alligator pepper, and bitter
kola and pouring of liberation on
the ground. It was within this
context that that the tradition of
Lagos with regard to the lagoon
came up. It was noted that
whoever works against the throne
and the interest and peaceful co-
existence of Lagos would end up
in the lagoon as per tradition.
2.Oba Akiolu stated further that
the Igbo people have not betrayed
the throne. Lagos has also not betrayed the
Igbo people. Lagos has done so much to make
the Igbos comfortable and to prosper. For this,
we expect reciprocal respect and
understanding. The Oba of Lagos prays that
the Lagoon and the throne will continue to
bless and protect all those who reside and
visit Lagos.
3. Oba Akiolu is the father of all irrespective
of tribe, religion or political persuasion. In
Lagos, we have an old traditional proverb that
relates to the Lagoon. The Lagoon is unique to
Lagos. The proverb stresses the need for unity
and understanding when you do business in
an environment and in this case when you
live and do business in Lagos.
Oba Akiolu prays for peace for the land of
Lagos and prosperity for all its inhabitants.
Signed: Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, Opeluwa
of Lagos

Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, reluctant to clarify anti-Igbo comments

The Oba of Lagos. Rilwanu Akiolu, is reluctant to clear the air on the anti-Igbo statements attributed to him on Sunday, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

During a courtesy visit by Eze Ndigbos (Igbo traditional rulers) in all the local governments in Lagos at the Oba’s palace, Mr. Akiolu reportedly said that the Igbos resident in Lagos should cast their votes for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Akinwunmi Ambode, or perish inside the lagoon.

PREMIUM TIMES’ reporters were not at the event where Mr. Akiolu spoke. But repeated efforts by this newspaper to reach the Lagos monarch on Monday for his reaction were unsuccessful.

When this newspaper called the Oba on his mobile telephone on Monday morning, his aide, who answered the call, said Mr. Akiolu was in a meeting and could not immediately respond to the matter.

Our reporter stressed the urgency of our enquiry and requested the aide to help pass our message to the monarch without delay. 

He promised to do that after explaining that he (aide) was not competent to confirm or deny what the Oba said at the event.

But over two hours after our call, the Oba’s palace is yet to revert to us. Subsequent phone calls to the monarch’s telephone lines were unanswered.

However, four people, including a journalist, who were at the meeting at the Iga Idunganran palace on Lagos Island confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Akiolu indeed made the statements attributed to him.

PHOTO FROM VICE PRESIDENT AND WIFE SENDFORTH

There was a send off for VP-elect - Osinbajo, at his church yesterday. He's pictured above with his wife Dolapo being prayed for by Bishop Wale Oke.

The Bishop prayed for them yesterday during the Easter Sunday service. Such a humble man, I don’t know why we keep feeling he will be a president of this Nation one day.

"I still get my slaps when I misbehave at home" - Reekado Banks.

Mavin singer and song writer Reekado Banks opened up about his life at home, his fashion sense and more in an exclusive interview.

How much do you charge to perform at shows? "I don't know, it's not my place to negotiate with any body but I charge quit reasonably. Yes, i've charged a million Naira before". Are your sublings threatened by your current fame and status? "Never that, everybody is doing well where they are supposed to be. Its about knowing where you are going to in life, so no, they are not threatened. I still get my normal slaps when I misbehave, i'm the last born, fame or nah I get my slaps." Dprince is the most fashionable Mavin, Korede Bello has a deal with Woodin, but with you, we havent really seen the fashion angle, what's going on? "I'm just me. i'm just trying to be comfortable in anything I wear. Most of the time i'm dressed in black and white. I'm not necessarily here to make the impression that I dress better than someone else. Right now i'm just trying to make my music, I dont think my fashion is really necessary".

ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY: DANGOTE ALIGNS BACK WITH BUHARI

Lol. See him above with GEJ as election results were being announced. And after it was clear who would win, he moved kia kia. He's a businessman, not a politician. Friends with anyone in govt...:-)

Aftermath of National Embarrassment, Orubebe apologizes for his behaviour yesterday, says he regrets it

Aftermath of National Embarrassment, 
Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe has apologised for his behaviour at the collation centre in Abuja yesterday morning. Speaking with reporters last night, the PDP party agent, who held up proceedings and used abusive words on Jega, said he regretted his action and asked Nigerian to forgive his behaviour. 

”Election is a passionate thing and I really regret what took place this morning. I was unnecessarily pushed by Jega to get to that level. I want to apologise particularly to young Nigerians that look up to take politics as a career to say that what happened was
not intended to cause them any embarrassment. 

To Nigerians generally, I regret my actions as even an elder in the church, and a leader, the young men expected to see a lot from me and I believe that if there was any disappointment they got from me I apologize to Nigerians and to the youths of this country.”

On President Jonathan conceding defeat, Orubebe said:

“Two things are in place. The president is the president of everybody. As a statesman and as a president; he has done what he should do.”

On whether the PDP will challenge the result, he said:

“I cannot decide for the PDP. It  is a large family. We were sent on an errand to come back to report. We will go and report to the party and the party will take the necessary action it has to take. 

You remember what happened in Ekiti’s  governorship election when the governor congratulated his opponent and the party went back and said this is what they have seen. The candidate is not the party, he is a candidate and he has acted very well as a statesman, and as the president, the father of all. For us, we are agents to be here to see what transpired here and give report to them.”

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Identical triplets marry on the same day at the same time - to confused grooms

29 year old triplets, Rafaela, Rochele and Tagiane Bini from Passo Fundo, southern Brazil, tied the knot same day at the same ceremony, wore the same wedding dress, as well as hair style and make up and confused not just their guests but also their grooms who also looked strikingly similar.

The only way guests could distinguish one bride from the other at the ceremony on Saturday was the different colour of bouquet they carried. Even the grooms - Rafael, Gabriel & Eduardo, said they had worried they might mix up their wives-to-be when it came to exchanging vows. One of the grooms, Rafael, who married Rafaela, told how the girls sometimes deliberately confused their fiances.

 

He said

'There was a time when we were all in the kitchen making dinner. So Rochele, who is Gabriel's, was doing stuff at the sink, and Rafaela was at the stove. We were there chatting and they changed places. I went behind to hug her, and said "oops" when I realised I'd got the wrong girl.'

The girls explained how they all went together to get their hair and make-up done with the intention of looking different. 

But, said Rochele, 'We tried a number of styles, but we all liked the same one. It's not even worth trying, it always ends up like that.'

Their parents, Pedro and Salete, already had one daughter, Liziele, when they decided to increase the family - but never imagined three more girls would come at once.

Mother Salete fainted when she was told she was expecting triplets, according to the girls.

Rafaela was the first to find her future husband, Rafael, ten years ago while studying at university. A year later, Rochele got together with Gabriel.

It was parents Pedro and Salete who suggested the girls all get married together after Tagiane also got engaged to Eduardo.

The only dilemma for Pedro, a farmer, was how he would walk all three daughters down the aisle at once.

He said: 'We decided that we would all walk down the aisle until half way down the church. From there, I would take one at a time.'

The first to be taken to the altar by their father was Tagiane, who was the first to be born. She remembered: 'I tried to hold back my emotion, but I couldn't. To see my dad there, at that moment, was a feeling I can't explain.'