We must all be concerned with South-West’s falling education standard —Oba Obikoya

Recently, a 71-year-old retired teacher was installed by the Ogun State government as the traditional ruler of Oni community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. In this interview by OLAYINKA OLUKOYA, Oba Abdul-fatai Obikoya speaks on the falling standard of education in the South-West, his plans for the community, among other issues:

You are a retired teacher before ascending the throne of your forebears. How would you assess the level of education in the Southwest?

The level of education in the Southwest is becoming worrisome day by day. The region, many decades ago, was known for its leading role in education. The reason for this is not far-fetched. Quality education is no longer there. This could be attributed to different policy formulations. I make bold to say that government did not get it right, in the first instance, by scrapping the Teachers’ Training Colleges. This is a great error committed on the part of government. These colleges were established to train teachers who teach in primary schools. Aside the scrapping of the TTC, the conducive atmosphere for learning is no longer there in the schools, most especially, the public schools. There are no furniture to sit on by pupils and students. Many of the classrooms are in sorry state. There are no textbooks to aid teaching and learning process. A lot of things have gone wrong in our educational sector. Government announced free education without supplying the pupils and students textbooks to work with. No teaching aids for teachers any longer. No in-service training for teachers. Many schools have no teachers in core subjects. Those that have retired from teaching profession were not replaced. There are insufficient teachers in our schools. I am talking generally on education in the Southwest.

I am enjoining governments in this region to have a rethink towards repositioning of our education sector. They should provide enabling environment for effective teaching and learning process.

There has been this clamour over the years that traditional rulers should be given a pride of place in the nation’s constitution. What is your take on this?

Of course, traditional rulers must be given roles to play in the administration of this country, just like what obtained before now. Governments have changed everything by not giving honour or due recognition to traditional rulers. Traditional rulers long before this time have positions in government. The late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi was the Commissioner for Chieftaincy of the defunct Western Region.

Traditional rulers have enormous roles to play in their communities and government. The roles of Obas should not be usurped. In the past 30 years or so, governments have failed to give due recognition to them.

Yoruba culture and tradition is gradually been eroded by all kinds of things. How best do you think this can be addressed?

The only way it can be revived is that we should not jettison the role of culture and tradition in our communities. For example, a traditional ruler has no religion, if he wants peace and tranquility in his domain. Every traditional ruler should know that all traditions and cultures must be respected. All that needs to be worshipped, I mean Oro, Egungun festival, should be celebrated according to custom and tradition.

At this juncture, tell us briefly about your background?

I was born about 71 years ago. My father, the late Abdul-Karim Obikoya, is from Oni while my mother is from Imobi-Ijebu. My father was the Giwa Obagoroye of Oni and my mother is also Sabitiu Oriaran who happens to be from Alo. Her mother is also from Oni. I was born into a family of five with four sisters all of whom have transited.

I started schooling late in life because my parents were not financially buoyant to send me to school. I started schooling between 1952 and 1953 by attending Arabic school popularly known as ‘Ile kewu’ under the leadership of late Alhaji Alli Balogun. I couldn’t go to school until 1955 when the free primary education policy came on board. I happened to be one of the best pupils in my set. I completed my primary education in 1960 and later left for Epe in Lagos State for my secondary education in 1961.

I passed out in 1963 having completed my modern school education. I lost my father in 1965 after modern school. There and then, I thought all was over for me. However, I engaged in collecting daily contributions (ajo) from people and also worked at an agricultural centre in Ibiade to eke a living before I decided to learn draughtsmanship. It was not a nice experience, but I thank God today that the rest is history.

How did you see your appointment as the second Oloni of Oni?

I never knew I would become the traditional head of my community but I give thanks to Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity. My appointment is a call to service. My journey to the throne was supported by my people. I must appreciate here my predecessor on the exalted seat, the late Oba Oyelana who made me an Otunba after my retirement as a classroom teacher. The chieftaincy title brought me closer to the late monarch, and I equally learnt so many things from him.

After Oba Oyelana joined his ancestors, the people of Oni asked me to be their next traditional ruler. I initially declined the request when I thought within me that I did not have the enormous resources to cater to the needs of our people.

My name was listed as one of the candidates contesting for the seat and the Ifa oracle was consulted. I was picked by Ifa and here I am today. I was shocked, because I never bargained for this. With God on my side, I promise not to disappoint my people.

What should be the expectations of the people of Oni from you?

First of all, let me appreciate the entire people of Oni, both young and old, for the support they have been given me, before and after I ascended the throne.  I pray to Almighty Allah that during my own reign positive and monumental developments will come to our community.

My first move is reaching out to sons and daughters of Oni, my friends, those who are at the helms of parastatals. We must all rally round together to improve the community. My market place needs a turnaround in the interest of the people. Our maternity centre needs to be upgraded as well. The road leading to the community is impassable. I am using this medium to seek the support of my people and well wishers to develop this ancient community. People living in rural areas deserve better living. God will help us to do our best for the overall development of Oni.

I believe in the government of the day to play a leading role in our plans as well. We will keep in touch with them in influencing some projects to this community. The market I spoke about earlier, the schools and turning around of the neglected Ebute Oni to a tourist attraction are some of the things I am expecting to work on. We will be close to the grassroots government here, under the chairmanship of  Comrade Femi Onanuga in making sure that the social amenities we deserve come to us. At the end of it all, and with God on our side, we will have cause to give thanks.

What is your message to your subjects?

I appreciate the honour given me by our people to serve them. And I also wish our neighbouring communities well. We are all brothers and sisters, and the spirit of brotherhood must continue within us. By now, I am expecting all sons and daughters of Oni to identify with their hometown through communal effort at changing the face of the community for better. They should be supportive and prayerful for us at all times. As the traditional ruler, I can’t do it alone without their support. I want to tell them that it is a new era in our land.