The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has announced a ban on the presentation of alcoholic drinks at his palace, warning that such beverages are harmful to health and should no longer be brought as gifts during traditional visits.

The monarch made the declaration in a video shared on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, where he instructed visitors, chiefs and well-wishers to stop bringing alcoholic beverages, including gin, schnapps, Hennessy and other spirits, to the palace. According to him, alcoholic drinks commonly offered to traditional rulers and elders pose serious health risks and are unsuitable as gifts.

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Oba Akanbi maintained that he would no longer accept alcoholic beverages in the palace, arguing that they could damage vital organs and shorten the lives of elderly people. He said anyone bringing such drinks to the palace should instead consider presenting items that promote good health and wellbeing.

The traditional ruler revealed that he recently learned some visitors had brought bottles of Hennessy to the palace, warning them against repeating the gesture. He jokingly questioned how he could continue his spiritual responsibilities if he consumed an entire bottle of alcohol.

“The so-called alcohol usually presented or reserved for the elders is detrimental to their health; it leads to death,” he said.

“Anyone who brings hot drinks to the king’s palace wants to eliminate the king. Gin, schnapps reserved for the elderly should not be brought to my palace because what they call alcohol for the elderly is made by the Western people to kill and destroy internal organs. It will render the kidneys useless.”

“I heard you brought Hennessy; don’t bring it here. You want to kill me. Anyone who brings Hennessy or other dangerous alcoholic drinks has the intention to kill me. So, I should drink an entire bottle; what will I use to pray?”

The Oluwo also argued that alcohol consumption was not part of the original traditions of the Yoruba people, urging elders to avoid practices capable of endangering their health. He called on visitors to respect the new directive by bringing healthier alternatives whenever they visit the palace.