The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has stressed the need for urban renewal in the state while cautioning against displacing residents.
Speaking at his Iga-Iduganran palace on Sunday during an event marking 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 sycophancy, which he described as the root causes of the nation’s challenges.
The monarch expressed 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 away from God. Sycophancy, indiscipline, and greed are the real issues.
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“Greed is the cause of all evil. Everything in Lagos, especially Iga Iduganran, has always been under the control of Almighty Allah and the Oba of Lagos,” he said.
He also lamented the erosion of communal values and the rise of fear among Lagosians.
“We have lost our sense of communal living where relatives care for each other. This should not be so,” he said.
“If you move people from a place for development, when the area is renewed, let them return.”
He urged local government leaders to invest wisely, particularly in security logistics, noting that improved patrol 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.
“From today, go and have honesty, sincerity of purpose, and a sense of direction. Think well of everybody and don’t look down on anyone,” he said.
“Nigeria is a great country and will be greater by the grace of Almighty Allah.”
Reflecting on his experience in public service, Oba Akiolu recounted an encounter with the late Interim Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, during which he openly expressed his opinion about the fragile nature of the interim government that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
“I told him that the process that brought Abiola to victory was a protest against military rule. The interim government would not last, and shortly after, General Sani Abacha took over,” he recalled.
The monarch emphasised his lifelong commitment to integrity, saying that during his 32 years in the police service, he never collected 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 presented with my certificate of office, I told him that he would become the President of Nigeria.
“There is nothing anyone can do without the sanction of God. He will complete his eight years, but he must remember that everything that has a beginning must have an end,” he said.
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