Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been honoured with a traditional chieftaincy title by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, during a visit to the royal palace in Iwo, Osun State.
Drivetvnews gathered that the recognition was bestowed on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, when VeryDarkMan visited the monarch alongside members of the Ratels Movement. He reportedly arrived in Ibadan before proceeding to the historic Iwo Palace, where he received a warm reception from the royal household and residents who gathered for the occasion.
In keeping with Yoruba tradition, VeryDarkMan prostrated before the monarch as a sign of respect upon entering the palace. The gesture was applauded by those present and reflected the customs observed when greeting Yoruba traditional rulers.
The event featured a colourful display of culture as the Oluwo, dressed in royal attire, welcomed his guest in the presence of palace chiefs, supporters of the Ratels Movement and other dignitaries. Videos of the ceremony were widely shared on social media, attracting significant public attention.
During the ceremony, the monarch dressed VeryDarkMan in traditional Yoruba attire before officially conferring on him the chieftaincy title “Atayese of Yorubaland.”
The announcement was greeted with excitement from attendees, while clips from the event quickly went viral online, sparking congratulatory messages and discussions about the honour. Many social media users praised the celebration of Yoruba culture, while others applauded the activist for receiving the recognition.
The title adds another milestone to VeryDarkMan’s public profile, as he continues to attract national attention through his activism and commentary on social issues. The palace visit has since become one of the day’s most talked-about events, with many awaiting his official reaction to the honour.
