*From HRH Queen Chanel, Mother of Prince Oduduwa of Iwo Kingdom
My attention has been drawn to recent allegations circulating in the media and public space, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife.
I wish to categorically state that such statements are venomously untrue, misleading and highly damaging to the sacred institution of culture and traditional affairs in Yorubaland.
For the avoidance of doubt:
I was introduced to Mr. Akanbi by a Popular Lagos Monarch at a party in Ikeja, not by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife.
During my time as Olori Oluwo, I respectfully regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and continue to hold him in that regard till this day.
At no time did this Monarch introduce me to Mr. Akanbi to unalive him or with any malicious intent.
I also recall with fondness that Mr. Akanbi and I once visited the said Monarch and his gracious Olori in Lagos with Prince Oduduwa as a baby. Those remain personal and cherished memories.
It is important to note that Mr. Akanbi has not been involved in the life of his son, Prince Oduduwa, emotionally or financially for over five years. He only reached out in August this year during a visit to Canada. On that occasion, he refused to sign the necessary documents for Oduduwa to obtain his Canadian passport, yet he dropped the sum of $500 as if to cover up for his long absence but I was thankful because this is the first support Oduduwa received from his father since we left the palace five years ago. Despite this, I remained silent because I have always advocated for peaceful co-parenting and have continued to shoulder the full responsibility of ensuring that my son does not lack his basic needs.
I, therefore, plead with the general public to disregard any falsehoods being peddled against His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, who remains the foremost monarch of the Yoruba race.
Furthermore, I implore the traditional institution to call Mr. Akanbi to order to prevent him from further degrading the sacred institution which he himself is meant to represent.
This shall be my final statement on matters concerning Mr. Akanbi. Prince Oduduwa remains my beloved son, and nothing will ever change that fact. I hold the Yoruba people in deep love and respect, and I remain confident that the truth shall prevail.
*Signed
HRH Queen Chanel
Mother of Prince Oduduwa of Iwo Kingdom.
