FORMER Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has said that he remains a true Lagosian to the core as his progenitor, Obanikoro of Lagos, was not from Bini Kingdom in Edo State as being claimed in some quarters.

Eminent Lagosian and former Works Minister, Chief Femi Okunnu, had claimed that Obanikoro was from Benin.

The former minister, Obanikoro, made the clarification on Wednesday, saying that the legendary Obanikoro was an Awori from Idiluwo-Ile in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The former minister debunked the account given by Okunnu that Obanikoro was from Benin, describing it as misleading, saying 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.

Obanikoro said 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 grandmother 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,” Senator Obanikoro stressed.