Government policies should reflect on masses’ welfare, says Oba Akiolu

Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu is the Oba of Lagos. He spoke to KEHINDE OLATUNJI on how Nigeria could truly become independent among other issues.

After 58 years of independence, would it be appropriate to say Nigeria is truly independent?

Well, to some extent, we are no more under colonial rule.

We are operating a democratic system of government, that is, ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people’.

That is one thing, another is, how well have our leaders performed to ensure that what is required in a democracy is what they are doing?

What could be done about this?

Honestly, the problem in this country is not far-fetched from what the late American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy said, “ask of what you can do for your country and not what your country can do for you.”

We should think of what to do to make Nigeria succeed.

All of us should have fear of God and be self-disciplined. We also need to push honesty in the front burners and be our brother’s keeper.

We must not forget that anything with beginning will surely have an end.

As I always tell my children, we are just trustees. I succeeded somebody, whether I like or not, somebody will succeed me.

That I know very well. I don’t allow my children to do what they shouldn’t do; I used to tell them to remember the son of who they are.

People who are not close to me will say I am wicked but when you get closer, you’d know it is not true.

What I hate most in life is falsehood and cowardice, no matter how highly placed a person is, I will tell the truth according to my wisdom and knowledge.

The truth is, all of us should have a change, particularly, now that we have a serious head of state with the fear of God, somebody who wants things to be done properly.

Though, he is a human being, who could make mistakes, he has advisers to draw his attentions to what needed to be done.

It is the responsibility of everybody, not the government alone to make Nigeria work. Both the leaders and the electorate.

There is an adage that says there is no patriotism on empty stomach. The level of poverty in the land is very high; government must do more to assist the downtrodden.

I told my friends that I intend to suggest to the governors of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, that between Lagos and Ibadan, there are so many forests, if it is going to be 5,000 hectares, let them clear it, put manageable road, because it is not possible to tar the road at the same time, every 10 kilometres, put police stations and barracks, the unemployed people, put them there.

Nigeria is a blessed country, we still have many untapped mineral resources but majority of the people don’t want to earn a reasonable living, now that we are in the time of politics, they prefer to follow others and hail them.

Almost 16 years that God brought me here, one of my goals has been to reduce to barest minimum thuggery in Lagos Island, and so far, we have achieved it to a large extent.

In terms of economic system, has the country attained capacity for self-determination?

Well, that is a relative question. I listened to the news recently and heard that 80 per cent of what we consume in the country are imported.

There is no reason for that. God has blessed us with a huge population, the problem is, some people are lazy.

Some people are saying that most investors are leaving the country, the truth is that the era of doing what you like is gone, but Buhari cannot do it alone, and it is the responsibility of all the governors, commissioners and civilians.

Our vision should be on how Nigeria succeeds and what is our contribution?

There is room for improvement, we are not under colonial rule but we need more to get to the Promised Land.

How do you think Nigeria could truly become independent?

Like I told one of my grandsons, whoever can overcome his greed and have self-satisfaction is the richest person in the world.

All hands must be on deck to make Nigeria great, you see the efforts of the President to make sure that corruption is reduced but some people are working against it.

We must also look inwards, that is, being able to produce things we need in the country. This will reduce to the barest minimum, foreign importation.

We should also support government, by commending its good efforts and policies, as well as making useful suggestions when needed.

It is not about condemning every time. There should be nationalism, which is what they do in other countries.

Support government policies, which are good and draw its attention to the ones you think should be corrected, not condemnation all the time.

Your advise as the 2019 election approaches

Though, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), government and some other bodies are trying to ensure that money politics is reduced, the truth is that they have to create jobs and avenue for youths to be employed.

Somebody who has no job will be useful for anomalies. They take money to do all manner of things.

Some people are saying, take their money don’t follow them; those ones are just deceiving themselves.

Everybody should be happy and people should not be greedy, if they do that, all will be well.