The Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare, has dismissed reports alleging that the Palace withheld or diverted a ₦4 million media support fund reportedly meant for journalists and online media practitioners who covered the 2026 Olojo Festival.
Olafare, through a statement issued on Wednesday by the Senior Media Officer of the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, explained that the ₦4 million donation and bags of rice referenced in some online publications were specifically provided by the Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, to the media team of Iyalaje Oodua, Princess Toyin Kolade.
According to the statement, the gesture was made in appreciation of the media team, which has been independently sponsored by the Iyalaje Oodua for more than a decade and has consistently accompanied her to Palace-related engagements and activities.
The clarification followed reports and online commentaries suggesting that the ₦4 million was a general media package intended for journalists and online platforms accredited to cover the 2026 Olojo Festival.
Olafare stressed that the Media Directorate neither received nor had custody of the said ₦4 million, noting that it therefore could not have withheld, diverted or misappropriated funds that were not in its possession.
He explained that the donation should not be confused with the separate media appreciation package administered by the Media Directorate for journalists accredited to cover the Olojo Festival.
“The ₦4 million donation was specifically for the media team of Iyalaje Oodua, Princess Toyin Kolade, in appreciation of their longstanding support and coverage of her activities. It was not a general media package for all accredited journalists,” the statement clarified.
The Director further stated that the Palace recognises the important role played by journalists, photographers, videographers and other media professionals in documenting the Olojo Festival and projecting the cultural heritage of Ile-Ife.
He added that journalists who were duly accredited by the Media Directorate to cover the festival had been attended to with monetary appreciation and other benefits based on the arrangements made for accredited media practitioners.
Olafare, however, urged any accredited journalist who believes he or she has not received the appropriate benefit to approach the Media Directorate with proof of accreditation for proper verification.
“Anyone who feels that he or she has not received the benefit due to them is encouraged to reach out to the Directorate with proof of accreditation. Such cases will be properly looked into and, where applicable, the individual will be duly attended to,” the statement said.
The Media Director also expressed concern over what he described as misinformation contained in some online publications and commentaries, which he said portrayed Palace officials as having withheld funds allegedly meant for media practitioners.
He urged members of the public and media professionals to seek clarification from the appropriate authorities at the Ooni’s Palace before publishing reports concerning official activities, financial arrangements or media engagements.
Olafare reaffirmed the Palace’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and professional relationship with the media, stressing that accredited journalists covering Palace activities would continue to be treated with fairness and professionalism.
He also commended media professionals for their contributions to the successful coverage of the 2026 Olojo Festival and their efforts towards promoting Ile-Ife as a major centre of Yoruba history, culture and heritage.
Story By
Tope Eluyefa
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