Fatai is third child, not first, says Okoya family

Billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya’s family has countered Fatai Okoya’s claim that he is the first-born child. They say he is actually the third child.

The family made this clear in a statement signed by Nathaniel Omeninwan, the senior public relations manager of Eleganza Industries Ltd. This came after Fatai asked for his father’s forgiveness and a chance to reconcile.

Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Fatai wanted to reconnect with his father after 40 years apart. He shared that his father’s rejection has caused him pain.

Fatai claimed he is Mr Okoya’s first child and accused Shade Okoya, his father’s wife, of preventing him from seeing his father on his birthday.

The family denied these claims in a statement to journalists on Thursday. They pointed out that Fatai has received what they called ‘substantial financial support’ from his father.

They stated that Fatai has gotten significant benefits, including four flats in Lagos and help with his medical bills. They said: "The Okoya family finds it regrettable that Fatai Okoya (who is in fact the third child of Aare Rasaq Okoya, CON) has dragged what are otherwise private family matters into the public domain to attract public sympathy, gain attention and unjustifiably discredit other family members. Fatai Okoya fell out with his father and stopped visiting him long before his father married Chief Mrs Shade Okoya, MON."

They added, "Aare Rasaq Okoya, CON, has also publicly stated on numerous occasions that any child of his who is not prepared to respect, appreciate and abide by his wishes is on their own. Fatai Okoya has benefited immensely from his father and continues to benefit. He lives in, and has been given, four flats by his father in Ogunlana Surulere, and has at times been receiving payment for his medical bills."

The family also mentioned that Mr Okoya has always supported all family members, including those who started their own businesses. They said it is not fair to ignore his contributions and show him in a negative light.

Four influential family friends got involved in the dispute over 40 years ago. They held an all-night meeting to try to resolve the issues.

The family dismissed claims that Mr Okoya’s wife stopped Fatai from seeing their father during the birthday celebration. They insisted that no such thing happened.

"Surprised by what Fatai was asking for, they still concluded that his father should settle him with what he was asking for, and this was carried out accordingly. During the medical outreach organised for the Aare’s 86th birthday, Chief Mrs Okoya was introduced to Fatai Okoya."

They continued, "A family member then spoke to Fatai Okoya and advised him that the occasion was not an appropriate time or place to discuss the issues he has with his father. On that advice, which Fatai Okoya agreed with, he left the medical outreach venue. Other than exchanging pleasantries with him, Chief Mrs Shade Okoya, MON, said nothing to him that day, and several guests witnessed the entire incident."

The family expressed their unhappiness about the public attention, asking the media and the public to respect their privacy. They said any family member with issues against Mr Okoya should handle it privately, not make it a public show.

"Aare and Chief Mrs Okoya, and indeed the entire Rasaq Okoya family, are very quiet, private and easygoing citizens focused on their family, their charitable work and their businesses."

They added, "Chief Mrs Okoya respects her husband and his wishes. They do not intend to turn private affairs into disputes to air or discuss on social media. No misunderstanding can be settled online," the family concluded.