You studied Veterinary Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, then joined public service and retired as a Director in Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Abuja. By every global standard, you are now a senior citizen. When you look at the opportunities available to your generation and the present generation in terms of employment, would you say your generation was lucky?
My generation came into being about a time when there was a political restructuring of the whole country. In 1965, I was admitted into the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 1973, I was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship to study Veterinary Pathology at the Melbourne University, Australia. In 1978, 1988 and 1990, I undertook training courses at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), in Topo, Badagry, Lagos State. I undertook many researches and leadership training courses in countries like Ethiopia, Japan, Brazil, Italy, South Africa, Germany, India, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States of America and France.
I left secondary school in 1959 and I got a job to teach in a modern school in January 1960. Nigeria’s first federal elections of December 12, 1959 led to a lot of vacancies for us. Nigerians were just taking up responsibilities from the white men. A lot of structures were defined and set up for the administration of the whole country at the regional and federal levels. So, there were lots of vacancies. Secondly, there were very few educated people. There were so many vacancies such that you could not complain that you had no job if you were educated. Then, political office holders were not greedy unlike what exists today. Today, political leaders are not living up to expectations. Unfortunately, the followers too have lost the initiative to correct their leaders, because they allow the political leaders to divide and rule them through selective provision of their common wealth and religious propaganda.
You attended Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi. Why Fiditi when there were several other secondary schools in Ibadan City at that time?
In those days, it was the ambition of every boy to go to the Government College, Ibadan, because in a way, it was a guarantee that if you went there, you were likely to go to a university, and there were not many universities in those days. My father, as well as my teacher, thought I was good enough to enter Government College. I went for the entrance examination and passed it, but I was denied admission for reasons best known to the school’s administrators. In fact, no student was admitted to the Government College, Ibadan, from my school, St. Peter’s School, Aremo, that year. No one knew why they did that to us. The same year, 1953, there was a late advertisement of Fiditi Grammar School admission. So, all of us who attempted Government College went for the Fiditi Grammar School admission but three of us were eventually admitted. So, we started Fiditi Grammar School as the pioneer students.
You will be 80 years in a few days and you are still lecturing in the theological college of your church. And you sometimes drive yourself. Where do you get the strength? What is the secret?
The secret is Almighty God. Many people have asked me this question before. In addition to that, the secret is successful marriage and my motivation to be relevant forever. I want to finish strong. You cannot finish strong if you are mentally decayed. I engage myself in reading. I read a lot. I have an unquenchable thirst for reading and this keeps me busy. I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t take soft drinks. I love my water.
Considering your exposure and level of attainment, one would have expected that you would join politics. Why didn’t you go into politics?
Yes, I am well-exposed. I thank Almighty God for that. If a civil servant can claim to be exposed in this country, I will be one of the first 100, because I am enormously exposed. I have been to every state in this country. I have been to virtually every country in Africa. I have been to every continent in the world, but I never joined politics because our type of politics here is characterised by violence; killings, assassination.
When you were younger, which music did you like listening to?
Ebenezer Obey’s music.
Tell us your best meal and hymn?
Best meal? I don’t have. Best hymns? Aigbagbo bila temi loluwa.
As a fulfilled grandfather at 80, what advice do you have for the younger generation?
My advice for the younger generation is that they should receive home training. When this is not possible, then they should set good targets for themselves. Also, awareness of rights comes through education. So, parents must educate their children academically and morally. Educated people are easy to govern but difficult to enslave. Parents must, therefore, have the number of children they can cater for. I will recommend three children. In addition to certificate, these children must acquire skills. Today, certificates are plenty but skills are very few. Parents must also develop themselves morally, skilfully and spiritually.