Traditional rulers will tackle killings if asked to —105-year-old Delta monarch, Layieguen

The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Richard Layieguen, Ovie Ogoni-Oghoro I, reputed as the oldest traditional ruler in Africa, clocked 105 last week Thursday, January 20, 2022. EBENEZER ADUROKIYA spoke with the centenarian, who has spent 34 years on the throne, after hosting the 21st Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III in his palace at Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

What message do you have for your people as you clock 105?

What are celebrating? We are celebrating long life; we are celebrating God for granting me long life. As the subject matter of the festival, my message to all people and Nigerians in particular is to live in the way of God.

Nigerians should obey God and faithfully serve Him; not with words of mouth only. We should trust and believe in God, listen to what He has asked us to do and love our neighbours.

We should live with the motto of democracy, which is for the people and by the people. The political administration should not be selfish. For Nigeria to be one, we must love one another. Politicians should regard themselves as people prepared to serve the nation.

What is your message to Nigerians and politicians regarding the forthcoming general elections?

As Nigerians are preparing for elections come 2023, my advice is that they should be guided by principles. They should adhere to rules and principles. If they follow the rules of the game, there will be peace. No question of using might, money, force; people should be fair in the elections. No buying of votes and no fighting.

Do you want to tell Nigerians the secret of your longevity?

It is a long story. Coming from one, two three, four to 105 is a not a story one can finish even in three days. First and foremost, I think the secret is God.

Secondly, God created us and provided us with laws and rules to guide ourselves. God has granted us with long life; so if you want to live long, make sure your hands are clean. Avoid corruption. God hates corruption. When soldiers in the Bible went to meet John the Baptist for baptism, the man of God charged them to be contented with what they had.

God also told us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. See what is happening today? Stories in newspapers are mostly about killings and all sort of things. If you want to live long, put God first and do what He wants and you will live long.

Having been on the throne for the past 34 years, what would you recommend for government to do as regards the traditional institution in the country?

From time immemorial, before the coming of the white man, we, Nigerians, had a way of ruling ourselves; we had traditional rulers and they had roles they played. Traditional rulers had chief security officers in their kingdoms; what happens in every kingdom if traditional rulers are given the latitude to play their roles, you will see that most of these security problems will not be there. The people in the localities know themselves; those performing and perpetrating atrocities, we will fish them out. So, traditional rulers should be given their due roles to do justice to their people and government should endeavour to give them security votes to enable them work effectively.