I saw bigger picture of Itori at my coronation —Oba Akamo

On February 26, 2004, the then sleepy Itori welcomed Oba AbdulFatai Akorede Akamo with expectations to use his experience in corporate world as transformational agent in his domain. Sixteen years after today, Itori is not only headquarters of Ewekoro Local Government; it is also hosting an information technology higher institution among other developments. Oba Akamo in an interview with TUNDE BUSARI reflects and declares that his best is yet to come. Excerpts:

 

WHAT was on your mind when you were being installed as the Olu of Itori sixteen years ago?

I saw a bigger picture of Itori. Considering issues which played out before my emergence, I felt challenged that I could not afford to let the people, who had so much confidence in me, down. I knew they were very optimistic that I would not let them down. Bringing all these together, I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me.

 

Were you apprehensive by the bigger picture you imagined?

You need to know me that I am not one who is under any pressure over anything. That is why I like to do a long term plan on whatever I want to do. For instance, if I want to do something next year, I must start preparation from now. I enter my little library, pick my pen and a sheet of paper and do some jottings of important items. By the time I am done on this drawing board, I already have a picture of how that thing would look like. When I am doing this, I don’t make noise over it. But when result comes, it will amaze people.  When I came to the throne, I was thinking seriously but gradually on how I would make Itori a town of my dream. I did not rush into action. It was one step before another. It was a gradual process which ultimately led me to where we are today February 26, 2020. Don’t let me take credit for this. I have God to praise for all we have achieved in the past 16 years on the throne. Also I have people of Itori to commend for their love and understanding shown while we were in the process. But I must add that it was not a tea party.

 

Did you suggest it was not a roller coaster?

Yes, getting here required a lot of sacrifices from the palace to the people. There is no need to expatiate on this issue because what is most important is the result which has come out of whatever challenge we encountered on the journey.

 

Many guests who had entered your palace returned to their places with complimentary remarks of your taste. How right or wrong are they?

(Smiling) I think the best answer to that question is to give glory of whatever they saw to God. God is the great builder of all we have here. This is not the best palace in Yorubaland. I have visited palaces and saw magnificent structures. If you say what I had seen in other palaces somehow influenced what I have here, well, it is a healthy competition, which I encourage. I thank our guests who had come here and dropped complimentary words. God bless them all. I appreciate them. But if I must say it, the palace is not as important as its influence in the people of the town. I am very happy that my sons and daughters are inspired.

 

You are passionate about youth development going by what I read on a platform where sons and daughters and friends of Itori converge to discuss issues of collective importance. What informed this?

I am very happy that you have access to that group, which we call Itori Of My Dream. It is a device, an opportunity which technology has offered us to interact without a need to travel around. This forum is serving beneficial purposes one of which is the renewed unity we enjoy among ourselves. I am regularly featuring in conversation in order to encourage others too to share their views and ideas for further development of Itori.

 

Why did you decide to go low key at this 16th anniversary?

I am happy that you witnessed how the 15th anniversary was staged last year. You saw the number of traditional rulers and dignitaries what came for the event. It was not an occasion to be held annually, especially considering the state of the nation. I am okay with how the 16th anniversary is being held today starting from yesterday.

 

Your 60th Birthday comes on October 1, this year. What should we expect?

When we get to the river, we will know how to cross it. Sixty years is a landmark but let pray to God to sustain us till then.