The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has sparked debate after declaring that Ile-Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba people and has no true Yoruba culture.
Speaking at a palace event, the monarch insisted he is the “Arole Olodumare” with the mandate to reveal the authentic history of the Yoruba race.
Oba Akanbi argued that people were living in Ife before Oduduwa’s arrival, adding that the language and traditions of ancient Ife differed from what is known as Yoruba today.
His remarks challenge the widely-held belief that Ile-Ife is the cradle of Yoruba civilization, drawing sharp reactions from cultural enthusiasts and historians.