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By Lukman Olabiyi
The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has called for urban renewal initiatives in Lagos State to be carried out without displacing residents from their ancestral homes.
Speaking at his Iga-Iduganran Palace on Sunday during a media parley to mark his 82nd birthday and 22nd year on the throne, Oba Akiolu emphasised that development should prioritise the welfare and dignity of the people.
“If people are relocated for developmental purposes, they should be allowed to return to their communities once renewal projects are completed,” he said.
The monarch urged local and state authorities to implement renewal projects that enhance infrastructure while preserving the social and cultural heritage of Lagos communities.
Oba Akiolu also decried the erosion of communal values among Lagos residents, lamenting that the spirit of togetherness and mutual care that once characterised the city’s neighbourhoods was fading.
“We have lost our sense of communal living where relatives genuinely cared for one another. That should not be the case,” he noted.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s broader challenges, the Oba called on citizens to return to God and uphold integrity, discipline, and honesty. He identified greed, indiscipline, and sycophancy as major obstacles to national progress.
“Our major problem in Lagos and across Nigeria is that we have drifted too far from God. Sycophancy, indiscipline, and greed remain our greatest enemies. Greed, in particular, is the root of all evil,” he stated.
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The Oba, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, also urged local government councils to invest prudently in security and transparency.
According to him, improved patrol systems and accountability in governance would help curb criminal activities.
He advised political leaders to place the welfare of citizens above personal interest, saying: “Let us all embrace honesty, sincerity of purpose, and a clear sense of direction. Think positively about others and never look down on anyone.”
Reflecting on his years in public service, Oba Akiolu recalled an encounter with the late Chief Ernest Shonekan during the Interim National Government era, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
“I told him plainly that the election which produced Chief MKO Abiola was a protest against military rule. I warned that the interim government would not last, and shortly after, General Sani Abacha took over,” he recounted.
Reaffirming his lifelong commitment to integrity, the monarch said he served 32 years in the Nigeria Police Force without ever taking a bribe.
“I will always stand by the truth, no matter who is involved,” he declared.
Oba Akiolu concluded with a message of hope, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future: “Nigeria is a great country and, by the grace of Almighty Allah, it will be greater.”
