Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has denied that his progenitor, Obanikoro of Lagos, was from the Bini Kingdom in Edo State.
Chief Femi Okunnu, a former Minister of Works, had claimed Obanikoro was from Benin.
Obanikoro, however, insists the legendary Obanikoro was an Awori from Idiluwo-Ile in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos.
He explained that while he personally had a link with Benin City through his paternal great grandmother, who was from Eletu-Odibo family, the first Obanikoro was not from Benin.
He added that the descendants of Chief Obanikoro, including Ajayi-Bembe, Ogunlana Arewa, Abisawo Otun, Osadeko, Aregbe and Oyerokun, were conscious of their Awori root.
“Chief Okunnu said Obanikoro was from Benin, we are not from Benin. We are from Aworiland. We are from Idiluwo-Ile in Ojo local government.
“Personally, I have Bini blood. My paternal great grand mother was from Eletu-Odibo family. Eletu-Odibo came with the Oba of Benin to Lagos. She was the daughter of Ogabi Eletu-Odibo. But, Obanikoro was not a Bini man. He was an Awori,” he said.
Comments