Rilwan Akiolu

Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu (born 29 October 1943) is the incumbent traditional Oba of Lagos.

Oba

Rilwan Akiolu
Rilwan Akiolu in 2006
Oba of Lagos
Assumed office
9 August 2003
Preceded byAdeyinka Oyekan
Personal details
Born
Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu

(1943-10-29) 29 October 1943
Lagos, Nigeria Protectorate

Early life and education

He attended Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Surulere, Lagos (1961-1965) and studied Law at the University of Lagos (Akoka campus), receiving his Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B).[1]

Career

After high school he served for 32 years in the Nigeria Police Force, entering the force in 1970. He served in various capacities, was promoted to assistant inspector-general of Police in 1999, and was active until his retirement in 2002. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a fellow of the Nigerian Law School.[1]

Coronation

On May 23, 2003, Akiolu was selected by the kingmakers of the Lagos traditional kingdom and confirmed by the Lagos State government as the 21st Oba of Lagos; he was capped the next day, and was crowned on August 9, 2003. He has served in this position since May 2003, when he succeeded Oba Adeyinka Oyekan.[1][2]

The Akinsemoyin Royal Family of Lagos has challenged Oba Akiolu's coronation in court, complaining, amongst others, that their lineage has been denied access to the throne.[3]

Controversy

Akiolu courted controversy when in April 2015 in a meeting with Igbo leaders in Lagos he publicly swore "by the grace of Almighty Allah, that any of the Igbo representatives who went against his will that Ambode insha'Allah would be the next governor of Lagos, the person is going to die inside this (Lagos Lagoon) water".[4]

On Thursday 22nd October 2020, during the #EndSars protest crisis, videos circulated on social media and some News channels of protesters venturing the Oba’s Palace where they discovered a large warehouse in which he had hidden Government distributed Covid-19 Palliatives meant for the people of his community. Amongst the items recovered included; thousands of bags of rice, cartons of noodles, food condiments and essential household items. [5]

On the same day, his staff of authority was taken away by aggrieved youths who invaded his Palace. The Ruling House in Lagos ordered for the Staff of authority to be returned in order to restore decorum and regard to the throne.[6]

References
  1. "Akiolu, Oba Rilwan Osuolanle (Oba of Lagos)". Nigerian notables. Retrieved June 11, 2015.(page no longer exists)
  2. "Oba of Lagos". Kingdoms of Nigeria. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  3. "Oba Akiolu's Claim Being Challenged By Another Royal Family".
  4. ""Vote for Ambode or perish inside the Lagoon", Oba Akiolu tells Igbos". ThisDay Newspapers. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  5. "Mob shares alleged COVID-19 palliatives found inside Oba Of Lagos palace(video)". Globaltimes NG. October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  6. 360, Defenders (October 23, 2020). "'The staff of Oba of Lagos is up for sale on Jiji' Here are some of the funny tweets we saw about the missing staff of the Oba of Lagos".CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)


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