The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has stressed the need for urban renewal in the state and warned against displacement of residents.
Speaking at his Iga-Iduganran palace on Sunday during an event commemorating his 82nd birthday and 22nd anniversary on the throne, Oba Akiolu also called on Nigerians to return to God, embrace discipline and shun greed and flattery, which he described as the root causes of the nation’s challenges.
The monarch expressed his gratitude to God for answering his lifelong prayer to become a leader, adding that leadership requires wisdom, self-discipline and closeness to God.
“In Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, we have no problem except that we are too far from God. Flattery, indiscipline and greed are the real problems.
“Greed is the cause of all evil. Everything in Lagos, especially Iga Iduganran, has always been under the control of Allah Almighty and the Oba of Lagos,” he said.
He also lamented the erosion of community values and the rise of fear among Lagosians.
“We have lost our sense of community life in which family members look out for each other. This should not be like this,” he said.
“If you move people from a place for development, when the area is renewed, let them come back.”
He urged local government leaders to invest wisely, particularly in security logistics, noting that improved patrols and transparency would reduce crime.
“The political class should desist from acts that destroy public trust,” he added.
Oba Akiolu urged Nigerians to cultivate honesty, sincerity of purpose and a collective sense of direction.
“Starting today, go and have honesty, sincerity of purpose and sense of direction. Think well of everyone and don’t look down on anyone,” he said.
“Nigeria is a great country and it will be so by the grace of Almighty Allah.”
Reflecting on his experience in public service, Oba Akiolu recounted an encounter with the late Acting Head of State, Ernest Shonekan, during which he openly expressed his views on the fragile nature of the interim government that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections.
“I told him that the process that led Abiola to victory was a protest against the military regime. The interim government would not last and, shortly after, General Sani Abacha assumed power,” he recalled.
The monarch emphasized his lifelong commitment to integrity and said that during his 32 years in police service, he never took a bribe.
“I will always tell the truth, no matter who is involved,” he said.
Oba Akiolu also spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as a leader chosen by God to transform Nigeria.
“God deliberately chose Bola Tinubu for Nigeria. On May 23, 2003, when I was given my certificate of office, I told him that he would become the President of Nigeria.
“There is nothing anyone can do without God’s sanction. He will serve his eight years, but he must remember that everything that has a beginning must have an end,” he said.
READ ALSO TOP STORIES OF Newslodge