Fatai is third, not first, child, received four flats, other benefits — Okoya family

Billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya’s family has disputed Fatai Okoya’s claim that he is the industrialist’s first-born child, insisting that he is, in fact, his third child.

The family issued the clarification in a statement signed by Nathaniel Omeninwan, senior public relations manager of Eleganza Industries Ltd, days after Mr Fatai sought his father’s forgiveness and reconciliation.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Fatai pleaded for an opportunity to reconcile after 40 years apart. He described his father’s rejection as painful.

Mr Fatai alleged he is Mr Okoya’s first child and accused Shade Okoya, his father’s wife, of blocking his attempt to see his father on his birthday.

However, the family denied the allegations in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, citing what it described as ‘substantial financial support’ from the industrialist.

The family said Mr Fatai received considerable benefits from his father, including four flats in Lagos and financial assistance for his medical treatment.

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.

“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 said Mr Okoya has always supported every family member, including those who chose to start their own businesses.

They said it was unfair to overlook his contributions and portray him otherwise.

The family also said four highly influential family friends intervened in the dispute more than 40 years ago and held an all-night meeting to resolve it.

They further dismissed claims that Mr Okoya’s wife stopped Mr Fatai from seeing his father during the birthday celebration, insisting that no such incident occurred.

“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.

“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.”

Additionally, the family expressed displeasure over the public scrutiny, urging the media and members of the public to stop invading their privacy.

It insisted that any family member with a grievance against Mr Okoya must address it privately through the appropriate family channels, rather than turn personal matters into public spectacles.

“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.

“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”, said the family.