Before the Olu of Itori Egba land, Oba AbdulFatai Akorede became traditional ruler, he was always on top of political events, a practice which earned him friends among political actors in the country. However, the palace imposes on him responsibility to play father to all politicians, regardless of party affiliation. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, Oba Akamo tasks newly-inaugurated public office holders to see governance as service to humanity rather than accumulation of wealth. Excerpts:
Can you say your background in corporate world helps you on the throne?
That is just the plain truth. There is no knowledge which is wasted. This is what I tell the young ones; I tell them to see their present as an opportunity which would be useful for them later in life. When I was running tight schedule back then in the days of struggle on the streets of Lagos, I was optimistic that my struggle would take me somewhere, which is where I am today. To God be the glory. It is not by my might or that I was the most hardworking. Where I am has God’s support.
Have you found yourself in a situation where you complained about palace workload?
I have no reason to complain about my workload in the palace because my life before I came to the throne was all about heavy work load and regular travels within and outside the country.
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How can you define Dangote as an indigenous investments giant?
I want to believe you know a bit about my journey of life. Therefore, I want to also believe you know that I don’t worship money. I don’t see money as an end. It is only a means to an end. Those who see money as an end always find themselves at the receiving end. They are always restless running after it. But when you see it as a means to an end, you are in control of it. That is, if it comes, you are okay; if it does not come, you are cool, and nothing would make you to commit crime or sin because of it. Coming back to your question, I see Alhaji Dangote as a special being and a rare blessing to Nigeria and Africa. You must have read how he started his business life. Even how he started his business life is not as important as how he struggled to the top and sustained the top position. Tell me, just tell me a sector of the economy you won’t find him and see him making a big mark. That is my type of person, and I don’t hide this fact based on patriotism. Any Nigerian, who invests his money in Nigeria and reduces unemployment rate, will ever be my favourite. That is why I say that Itori is here for investors home and abroad. I have opened up the town since I came to the throne in 2014, and I am happy for what we have achieved so far. The Itori you see today is a complete contrast to the Itori I met 15 years ago. And we have not got to anywhere yet. The likes of Dangote are welcome, and will be fully supported in their investments.
The new Lagos-Ibadan railway passes through your town. How significant is that to your vision for the town?
What we have here is more than a railway station, in terms of employment generation among other benefits with the ongoing construction. This is a sign of what we stand to gain in the long run. Itori is an emerging industrial centre, and God willing, we shall all live to witness this development to bring to reality the vision I had when I was enthroned. The only wish of every traditional ruler is to leave his town better than he met it. And I am very happy, as I said earlier, that Itori is already opening up to development. When you pass through the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, you know that Itori is expanding on daily basis.
Going by the caliber of guests who attended the grand finale of your 15th coronation anniversary on April 6, one would agree that you are a sociable traditional ruler. How true or otherwise is this submission?
Who is not sociable, in the first place? As far as I am concerned, anyone who accepts invites and attends functions is sociable. If it is in that context you describe me, I have no disagreement with that. Even before I ascended to the throne, I always honoured invitation to occasions. So, you should not be surprised that my anniversary or any occasion I organise would not be well attended. I think it is natural. Also, it is an important aspect of Yoruba culture. In Yoruba land, we don’t joke with ceremonies; wedding, naming, house warming, funeral and others.
Having the heavyweight traditional rulers at the occasion was a big one for you. How did you feel having the Ooni, the Alaafin, Alake at that event?
It was an honour which does not come always. That is why you saw me in very high spirit on that day. I thank them and other dignitaries who felt they should honour me with their physical presence. Now, if they also invite me to their occasions, won’t I also attend? That is what I meant by being sociable, according to your question. Let me put it differently, I am as sociable as you are.
This must have informed your glamorous appearance at functions.
What you call glamour is even a quality of a traditional ruler. We must appear not only good but distinct to project our status right. We were instructed on how to appear in the public because we are the custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition. What you call glamour is just our way of promoting our culture. I must make it clear that promoting our culture does not restrict us to our native attires. No. We can wear any fabrics that look good in us but certainly not those ones that would attract negative comments of the public, especially in this age of social media when nothing is secretive again.
June 12 has been institutionalised by President MuhammaduBuhari as Democracy Day. How do you feel with this, bearing in mind that Chief MKO Abiola who made the date is late?
It is better late than never. In fact, that this honour came 20 years after he passed on makes it more honourable. It shows that President Buhari appreciates what Abiola struggled and died for. This is a welcome development and a credit to the administration of President Buhari. I join millions of Nigerians home and in the diaspora in appreciating what he has done. The message here is that good or bad we do now will surely come to count later in life. If Abiola had not stuck to his mandate, he might have been forgotten. But because he stood firm and decided to pay the supreme price, he now has his name on the list of past presidents commanders-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is awesome. In another sense, this has shown that the Yorubas can uphold a principle to the point of death.
Should traditional rulers be involved in politics given the unstable terrain politics is?
Constitutionally, traditional rulers are not politicians. We are fathers of all politicians, irrespective of their political parties. Having clarified this, traditional rulers should be involved in governance. I want you to get it clear. Governance is all-encompassing project; everybody should be involved in governance. And because we were in charge of governance before the colonial masters came here, we should be involved in governance to play some roles which will help governors, for instance, to reach the grassroots because of our proximity to the grassroots.
South-west used to be a peaceful zone until recently when kidnappers migrated here and have thrown everybody into panic. What is your take on this?
This question relates to the one you just asked. Traditional rulers are most familiar with the geography of their domains, so they know what happens. They know who to call when anything happens. In terms of security, we know the night guards, we know the DPOs, we know everybody in our localities. This is an advantage in crime prevention and crime combating. I want to advise the government to look into this direction. Kidnappers and sundry criminals are not ghost; they are human beings but when round peg is not put in round hole, it could be frustrating. But with the meeting which President Buhari recently had with state governors, there seems to be an assurance that something would be done to tackle it in due course. But I want them to expedite action because security issue should not be taken with levity. The economic importance of the South-west to the whole nation should be considered to end this criminality here.
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