The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has formally requested the public to address him as “His Imperial Majesty” instead of the traditional “His Royal Majesty.”
This request was made in a statement shared on his Facebook page, where he elaborated on the significance and historical context of the Oluwo throne.
Oba Akanbi asserted, “The stool of Oluwo commands the respect of the direct blood of Oduduwa. The Oluwo stool is a crown from inception.”
He emphasized the distinctiveness of his title, noting that, unlike many Yoruba towns where rulers ascend from the position of Baale (Duke) to Oba, Iwo has always had an Oluwo. This historical perspective reinforces the uniqueness of the Oluwo title.
He further stated, “Oluwo should always be addressed as His Imperial Majesty, not His Royal Majesty. Any correspondence without proper address will not be honoured.”
He likened the importance of titles to military ranks, saying, “No General will love to be called a sergeant; likewise, no Doctor will answer the name of a nurse.”
Additionally, the Oluwo underscored his position as a paramount ruler, revealing that he was crowned over 30 Obas during his reign.
This initiative aims to elevate the recognition and respect accorded to the Oluwo throne, which Oba Akanbi believes deserves imperial status reflective of its historical lineage.
