The family of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya has disputed Fatai Okoya’s claim that he is the businessman’s firstborn child, insisting that he is his third child.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by Nathaniel Omeninwan, senior public relations manager of Eleganza Industries Ltd, days after Fatai publicly appealed to his father for forgiveness and reconciliation following an alleged 40-year estrangement.
The source reported that Fatai had appealed for an opportunity to reconcile with his father, describing the alleged rejection as a painful experience.
Fatai had claimed to be Okoya’s first child and accused his father’s wife, Shade Okoya, of preventing him from seeing the industrialist during his birthday celebration.
However, the family rejected his account in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, citing what it described as substantial financial support he had received from his father over the years.
According to the family, Fatai has benefited from his father’s generosity, including receiving four flats in the Ogunlana area of Surulere, Lagos, and financial assistance for medical expenses.
“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,” the statement read.
The family further claimed that Fatai’s estrangement from his father began before Okoya married Shade Okoya, adding that the industrialist had previously stated publicly that children who failed to respect and abide by his wishes would have to fend for themselves.
The statement also maintained that Okoya had supported members of his family, including those who chose to establish their own businesses, and argued that his contributions should not be overlooked.
Addressing the circumstances surrounding Fatai’s recent attempt to reconnect with his father, the family said four influential friends intervened in the dispute more than 40 years ago and held an all-night meeting in an effort to resolve the matter.
According to the family, the intervention resulted in an agreement to meet Fatai’s requests, which they said was subsequently fulfilled.
The statement also denied Fatai’s allegation that Shade Okoya prevented him from seeing his father during the industrialist’s 86th birthday medical outreach.
The family explained that Shade Okoya was introduced to Fatai during the event. A family member subsequently advised him that the occasion was not an appropriate time or place to discuss his outstanding issues with his father.
According to the statement, Fatai accepted the advice and left the 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 stated.
The Okoya family also expressed displeasure over the public attention surrounding the dispute, urging journalists and members of the public to respect their privacy.
It maintained that any family member with grievances against the industrialist should address them privately through appropriate family channels rather than publicise personal disagreements on social media.
“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,” the statement added.
The family further insisted that Shade Okoya respects her husband and his wishes, stressing that private misunderstandings should not be turned into public disputes.
“No misunderstanding can be settled online,” the statement concluded.
