ALAAFIN AND OONI MEDIA : STATEMENT FROM OONI PALACE MISLEADING, UNPROFESSIONAL AND MISCHIEVOUS
The Attention of Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora has been bought to the damaging Press Release by the Spokesman of Ooni of Ife disparaging Alaafin of Oyo Palace Media Team, published on 22nd June 2025 by The Punch Newspaper as ill-motivated, gross unprofessional journalistic practice and against much-garnered unity among the holders of Yoruba traditional institution.
The release by the Director of Media and Publicity for Kaabiyesi Enitan Ogunwusi Ajaja Oonirisa of Ife, published by Punch Newspaper under the title: “Oonii’s Palace Faults Viral Video on Ooni – Alaafin Abuja Encounter” in which a blatant misinformation and blunder were committed by the Ooni Palace Spokesman.
Aimed at straightening the grandeur and royalty exhanged during Abuja’s encounter between the two monarchs Alaafin of Oyo and Ooni of Ife, the Publication is however deemed damaging to the Alaafin Palace.
According to a statement issued by Prince Lashley Oladigbolu, Publicity Director of Alaafin In Diaspora -a global network of Oyo sons and daughters led by Magistrate Princess Bilikisu Savage and Dr Ademola Adeleke, the statement from Ooni Palace made by Mr Moses Olafare is misleading, mischievous and unprofessional.
Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora believe that there is unity between the two monarchs.
The group is concerned that a social media blog, Oyo Legacies pointed out by Ooni Palace Spokesman for posting the purportedly distorted video, is neither a wing nor affiliated to the Alaafin Palace Media Team.
The distorted video being referred to has been refuted by the handler of the social media platform.
The spokesperson for Ooni, Otunba Moses Olafare, got it utterly wrong, and it is far too damaging to the traditional leadership and institution of Yoruba Obas.
Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora called on Ooni Palace Spokesman to crosscheck his facts and honour the royalty of the monarchs involved.
The press release about one edited video of Alaafin and Ooni refusing to exchange pleasantries was not made by Oyo Legacies as refuted by the handler of Oyo Legacies who further clarrified that Oyo Legacies is not a media wing of Alaafin Palace.
Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora do expect highest level of professional practice while conducting media relation for our traditional rulers.
“We feel strongly strongly disappointed that statement from the Palace of Ooni is such utterly wrong and misleading.”
“The Alaafin Palace media team can be contacted for verification on any information under a friendly atmosphere before rushing to the press” Prince Oladigbolu reiterated.
Nigerian press should be factual, to represent unity and respect our Oba traditional values.
Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora maintain that the two revered monarchs are together committed to bringing peace, unity and development to the Yoruba people.
It would be brilliant for the Spokesman of Ooni to make another Press Release to accept their mistake for the sake of clarity and journalistic ethos.
SIGNED
Prince Lashley Oladigbolu
Director of Publicity
Oyo Alaafin In Diaspora