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| Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade to the GDA….’In 2011 I gave my vote to GMB but this February I am giving it to Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo because I trust the duo to deliver Nigeria’ |
Omo-Oba Sunmade Babajimi Akin-Olugbade is a scion of the reputable family of the late Egba
statesman and legal luminary Chief (Hon)
Ohu Babatunde Akin–Olugbade.
Late Chief Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade,
an Owu, Abeokuta patriot was a former leader of opposition in the House of
Representative during Nigeria’s First Republic.
statesman and legal luminary Chief (Hon)
Ohu Babatunde Akin–Olugbade.
Late Chief Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade,
an Owu, Abeokuta patriot was a former leader of opposition in the House of
Representative during Nigeria’s First Republic.
The late Egba chief who was a
great philanthropist, contributed hugely to the development of Owu people. He
was the Balogun of Owu and Ekerin of Egba land. Two years ago, Prince
Sunmade Babajimi Akin-Olugbade and his siblings launched a post humous book
in honor of their father which they titled “The Great Statesman: Chief
Honorable O. B. Akin-Olugbade…..A life of Service” which was attended by
the cream-de-la-cream of the Nigerian socio-political circles.
Omo Oba Olusunmade Akin-Olugbade, an economist and renowned business administrator, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the O.B.A Group of Companies, hosted family, friends and associates to a private party
at his Yaba, Lagos home on New Year day, Thursday January 1st. Your
Africa’s number one Celebrity encounter blog was there. This blog managed to
get the views of the cool headed economist on the state of the nation and some
other issues. Enjoy the excerpts first on your Africa’s number 1 Celebrity
Encounter blog. Enjoy!
and Chief Executive Officer of the O.B.A Group of Companies, hosted family, friends and associates to a private party
at his Yaba, Lagos home on New Year day, Thursday January 1st. Your
Africa’s number one Celebrity encounter blog was there. This blog managed to
get the views of the cool headed economist on the state of the nation and some
other issues. Enjoy the excerpts first on your Africa’s number 1 Celebrity
Encounter blog. Enjoy!
 |
| Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade to Asabeafrika….’The President said he established New Universities but half the time those institutions were on strike’ |
Today is January 1st and
we are privileged to be with you as you celebrate with friends and family. If
Asabeafrika may ask; What are your fears for Nigeria?
I
am optimistic about Nigeria, I am very optimistic and I am hoping that the good
Lord will turn things around for the better for this country.
am optimistic about Nigeria, I am very optimistic and I am hoping that the good
Lord will turn things around for the better for this country.
“Personally, I was very optimistic
about President Goodluck Jonathan in
2011 but he has disappointed most people. I actually voted for him in 2011 but
honestly I am not only surprised at the way things have turned out under him. I
wish he will just go round and see what is happening in the country”
 |
| The Omo-Oba Sunmade Babajimi Akin-Olugbade with Celebrity Blogger Gbenga Dan Asabe after the extra-ordinary encounter in Lagos |
As a father and grandfather, looking
back at Nigeria of your younger days and the present day Nigeria, do you have any
fear for the future of your grand children?
Well,
I do have hope and confidence in God Almighty. Yes, things were a lot different
when we were growing up. Things were more orderly; things were more orderly but
then we cannot hope to go back to the colonial days. I just hope that the
present crop of leaders will have the passion and the commitment to serve because
we are not getting that right now. The impression one get is that people are
just there on commercial venture. They are not really making any sacrifice; rather,
they seem to be exploiting the situation in the country for their own personal
gratification. That is the impression I get and I think I have been around for
a while. I entered the University of Ife in 1968, which was during the Civil
War and it was my generation really, that fought the war. So, we lost a whole lot
of our contemporaries; young people aged between 18 and 30. So, that created a
vacuum. And it is unfortunate because Nigeria is worse for it. I know people of
your generation don’t know what am about to say; that there was a time when
things were run in an orderly fashion in this country; a time when Western
Region was a model not only for Nigeria but for the whole of Africa. If we had
continued that way, I am not talking about the rest of Nigeria but western
region, we would, by now, be competing favorably with countries like Brazil and
even Japan.
I do have hope and confidence in God Almighty. Yes, things were a lot different
when we were growing up. Things were more orderly; things were more orderly but
then we cannot hope to go back to the colonial days. I just hope that the
present crop of leaders will have the passion and the commitment to serve because
we are not getting that right now. The impression one get is that people are
just there on commercial venture. They are not really making any sacrifice; rather,
they seem to be exploiting the situation in the country for their own personal
gratification. That is the impression I get and I think I have been around for
a while. I entered the University of Ife in 1968, which was during the Civil
War and it was my generation really, that fought the war. So, we lost a whole lot
of our contemporaries; young people aged between 18 and 30. So, that created a
vacuum. And it is unfortunate because Nigeria is worse for it. I know people of
your generation don’t know what am about to say; that there was a time when
things were run in an orderly fashion in this country; a time when Western
Region was a model not only for Nigeria but for the whole of Africa. If we had
continued that way, I am not talking about the rest of Nigeria but western
region, we would, by now, be competing favorably with countries like Brazil and
even Japan.
“Doyin Okupe is an old friend. His father was one of the first indigenous
bankers in this country. Doyin read
medicine and he, indeed practiced with my son’s father in-law, Dr. Seyi Roberts. But right now I see Doyin as nothing but a megaphone for
Mr. President. That is all I can say about him”
So, when did the country start to
drift apart?
The
whole thing started with the politics of the First Republic, when the Federal
Government became very antagonistic towards the West. So, there was a
conspiracy to draw the West back. That was during the Action Group days in the
Western part of Nigeria and Nigeria has never recovered from that because the conspiracy
to pull the West back ended up pulling the whole country back. Now, there is no
visionary, there are no forward looking programs in the polity. All these
pretenders are just doing things their own way. Personally, I was very optimistic
about President Goodluck Jonathan in
2011 but he has disappointed most people. I actually voted for him in 2011 but
honestly I am not only surprised at the way things have turned out under him. I
wish he will just go round and see what is happening in the country.
whole thing started with the politics of the First Republic, when the Federal
Government became very antagonistic towards the West. So, there was a
conspiracy to draw the West back. That was during the Action Group days in the
Western part of Nigeria and Nigeria has never recovered from that because the conspiracy
to pull the West back ended up pulling the whole country back. Now, there is no
visionary, there are no forward looking programs in the polity. All these
pretenders are just doing things their own way. Personally, I was very optimistic
about President Goodluck Jonathan in
2011 but he has disappointed most people. I actually voted for him in 2011 but
honestly I am not only surprised at the way things have turned out under him. I
wish he will just go round and see what is happening in the country.
 |
| Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade to Asabeafrika…’The President said we willl appreciate him when he leaves power, can he tell us on which parameters’ |
Sir, what prompted your voting for
Jonathan in 2011, was it religion, his education or world view?
Without
a doubt, it was his education coupled with the fact that for once, we were
going to have a minority in that exalted office. I also voted for him because
of my belief that given his background-he said he had no shoes as a young
boy-he would do something tangible to uplift the disadvantaged in the society.
I am yet to see any evidence of that. Maybe he fell out of his leagues. I think
he was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of office.
a doubt, it was his education coupled with the fact that for once, we were
going to have a minority in that exalted office. I also voted for him because
of my belief that given his background-he said he had no shoes as a young
boy-he would do something tangible to uplift the disadvantaged in the society.
I am yet to see any evidence of that. Maybe he fell out of his leagues. I think
he was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of office.
But a lot of people thinks President
Jonathan is being misguided by people especially his wife and advisers? What do
you think?
Jonathan is being misguided by people especially his wife and advisers? What do
you think?
Truth
is: the buck stops at his desk even if he was misguided he doesn’t have to take
any ill advise. He is the leader; he has to dictate the pace. He is not
permitted to let anybody dictate to him. Advise, yes, but he should know what
advise to take. That, I think, is why General
Obasanjo is angry with him, although most people would blame the General
for foisting Jonathan on us anyway.
is: the buck stops at his desk even if he was misguided he doesn’t have to take
any ill advise. He is the leader; he has to dictate the pace. He is not
permitted to let anybody dictate to him. Advise, yes, but he should know what
advise to take. That, I think, is why General
Obasanjo is angry with him, although most people would blame the General
for foisting Jonathan on us anyway.
Do you think General Obasanjo is
shooting his very last bullet with the book “My Watch”?
shooting his very last bullet with the book “My Watch”?
I
think what General Obasanjo is
trying to do is cover his tracks; at least he will have something on record
against whatever people might say about him now or in the future. You know
right now people are already debunking some of his legacies as a civil war
commander. I mean if you read General Alabi
Isama’s book, he really debunked the myth of Obasanjo.
think what General Obasanjo is
trying to do is cover his tracks; at least he will have something on record
against whatever people might say about him now or in the future. You know
right now people are already debunking some of his legacies as a civil war
commander. I mean if you read General Alabi
Isama’s book, he really debunked the myth of Obasanjo.
But do you believe in General Alabi
Isama’s memoir?
Isama’s memoir?
I
believe in him very much so….
believe in him very much so….
(Cuts in) But have you read General
Obasanjo’s book “My Command”?
Obasanjo’s book “My Command”?
I
read “My Command” and I have read “The Tragedy of Victory” please go and read
“The tragedy of Victory” and come up with your opinion.
read “My Command” and I have read “The Tragedy of Victory” please go and read
“The tragedy of Victory” and come up with your opinion.
“Let me be honest with you, under
normal circumstances General Buhari
should not be presenting himself. Yes, considering his age and the services he
has rendered to this country, he has already served this country but because of
the precarious situation we are in, we need somebody like that”
But we all saw how the Biafran
soldiers led by Colonel Effiong surrendered the articles of war to General
Obasanjo, the videos are in the history library for all to see?
soldiers led by Colonel Effiong surrendered the articles of war to General
Obasanjo, the videos are in the history library for all to see?
Obasanjo
was invited there by Alani Akinrinade. In
reality, it was Akinrinade who finished
the war; He is married to my good friend and colleague at Ife, Mowale Sutherland. Nigerians should be
grateful to Generals Akinrinade and Alabi Isama, they are the ones who
really ended the war.
was invited there by Alani Akinrinade. In
reality, it was Akinrinade who finished
the war; He is married to my good friend and colleague at Ife, Mowale Sutherland. Nigerians should be
grateful to Generals Akinrinade and Alabi Isama, they are the ones who
really ended the war.
Does that mean History is not fair to
them?
them?
Do
we have any history? We have not written the history. Most of the people who
lost their lives during the war have not been compensated even up till now.
Till today we don’t have the list of the people we lost during the war, I
really don’t know what our government is doing about a whole lot of things. It
is as if the lives of those people don’t matter. And as I told you, that is my
own generation; young men aged between 17 and 30. It is such a shame.
we have any history? We have not written the history. Most of the people who
lost their lives during the war have not been compensated even up till now.
Till today we don’t have the list of the people we lost during the war, I
really don’t know what our government is doing about a whole lot of things. It
is as if the lives of those people don’t matter. And as I told you, that is my
own generation; young men aged between 17 and 30. It is such a shame.
 |
| Doyin Okupe dancing and wining at Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade’s son’s wedding to Doyin’s best Friend Dr. Seyi Robert’s daughter in April 2014 |
But sir, you share the same ancestral
place of birth, Owu, with General Olusegun Obasanjo. Owu is highly reputed in
the history of the Yoruba people. Would you say you equally feel ashamed that
your kinsman has a part in the unmaking of the history of Nigeria?
No,
as this should have nothing to do with Owu town. He didn’t come to power as an Owu man
but through the military. The military is his constituency, so it has nothing
to do with the Owus. Right now he is the Balogun
of Owu, a title he took after my illustrious father passed on. I don’t
think the Owus have any beef with General
Obasanjo but as a Nigerian, I mean we have to give the man credit, he
served this country and he loves Nigeria dearly. Yes, he made mistakes but the
military is always prone to mistakes. That is why I will always prefer
democracy to military. That is one of the reasons we were optimistic about
President Jonathan when he took over from Yar ‘Adua in 2010. My question is if
he has not been able to achieve anything in six years, what does he plan to
achieve in another four? Electricity in the country right now is less than 3000
mega watts and remember he promised that by the end of his four years we would
have at least 10,000 mega watts. He
opened up many universities but half the time they were on strike because of
various inadequacies. Bolaji Aluko
is a Vice Chancellor in the Federal University in Otuoke in Bayelsa State, I
know Bolaji. Bolaji’s father, the late Professor of Economics and a good friend
of my old man, taught me economics at Ife. Right now we no longer have
development plans in Nigeria. There are lots of things I just cant understand.
as this should have nothing to do with Owu town. He didn’t come to power as an Owu man
but through the military. The military is his constituency, so it has nothing
to do with the Owus. Right now he is the Balogun
of Owu, a title he took after my illustrious father passed on. I don’t
think the Owus have any beef with General
Obasanjo but as a Nigerian, I mean we have to give the man credit, he
served this country and he loves Nigeria dearly. Yes, he made mistakes but the
military is always prone to mistakes. That is why I will always prefer
democracy to military. That is one of the reasons we were optimistic about
President Jonathan when he took over from Yar ‘Adua in 2010. My question is if
he has not been able to achieve anything in six years, what does he plan to
achieve in another four? Electricity in the country right now is less than 3000
mega watts and remember he promised that by the end of his four years we would
have at least 10,000 mega watts. He
opened up many universities but half the time they were on strike because of
various inadequacies. Bolaji Aluko
is a Vice Chancellor in the Federal University in Otuoke in Bayelsa State, I
know Bolaji. Bolaji’s father, the late Professor of Economics and a good friend
of my old man, taught me economics at Ife. Right now we no longer have
development plans in Nigeria. There are lots of things I just cant understand.
“Things just can’t continue like
this; it is wrong; it is terrible for this country. Look at the way things are
going, we have graduates as drivers all over the place, and even with their job
as drivers they cannot make ends meet.
My own driver has HND (Higher National Diploma Certificate). Is that the
country we hope to leave for our children? Please, let’s change this team”
So how do you feel hearing that
Tompolo, an ex-militant bought six warships from Norway, how does that makes
you feel as a Nigerian?
Tompolo, an ex-militant bought six warships from Norway, how does that makes
you feel as a Nigerian?
But
these people; Tompolo, Dokubo Asari and all of them claimed
they are not Nigerians, I heard it myself. They say they are not Nigerians but
Ijaws. So, what the heck are they doing in Nigeria? Nigeria will survive
without oil. Of that I am very sure
these people; Tompolo, Dokubo Asari and all of them claimed
they are not Nigerians, I heard it myself. They say they are not Nigerians but
Ijaws. So, what the heck are they doing in Nigeria? Nigeria will survive
without oil. Of that I am very sure
 |
| Dr. Doyin Okupe with best Friend Dr. Seyi Roberts at the wedding where Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade saw him last |
I am sure you are equally aware that
the Americans have stopped buying oil from Nigeria. What, in your view, does
this portend the Nigerian economy?
They
are not buying oil from us again because they already have Shale Oil and that is the simple explanation for that but we should
have foreseen that. That is one reason I am saying our government is not far
sighted. They are not planning for the future of this country, it is
unfortunate and people are very unhappy; there are a whole lot of loafers
around the corridor of power in Nigeria; People who are not contributing
anything positive to governance. It is wrong and no serious government allows
that sort of thing. When the President comes on television and says ‘Nigeria is
not a personal estate of anybody’ what of those who died for this country, who
suffered for it? Do our leaders have any sense of history? Even from the Ijaw area there are people like Ken Saro Wiwa, people like Isaac Adaka Boro who died. Are you telling me
they died in vain? I mean there are many illustrious families in this country,
families which have really made sacrifices for this country and the President
can not just discount them. I have just been telling you of those who died on
both sides during the civil war. Are you saying they died in vain? The way the
like of Asari Dokubo talk,
threatening the unity of the country, with agencies like the DSS doing nothing, I can only hope we
are not, by our own inactions, inviting the military back into our lives.
are not buying oil from us again because they already have Shale Oil and that is the simple explanation for that but we should
have foreseen that. That is one reason I am saying our government is not far
sighted. They are not planning for the future of this country, it is
unfortunate and people are very unhappy; there are a whole lot of loafers
around the corridor of power in Nigeria; People who are not contributing
anything positive to governance. It is wrong and no serious government allows
that sort of thing. When the President comes on television and says ‘Nigeria is
not a personal estate of anybody’ what of those who died for this country, who
suffered for it? Do our leaders have any sense of history? Even from the Ijaw area there are people like Ken Saro Wiwa, people like Isaac Adaka Boro who died. Are you telling me
they died in vain? I mean there are many illustrious families in this country,
families which have really made sacrifices for this country and the President
can not just discount them. I have just been telling you of those who died on
both sides during the civil war. Are you saying they died in vain? The way the
like of Asari Dokubo talk,
threatening the unity of the country, with agencies like the DSS doing nothing, I can only hope we
are not, by our own inactions, inviting the military back into our lives.
 |
| Prince Sunmade Akin-Olugbade to Asabeafrika….In a country where HND holders are drivers, we have no other option than to change the team come February 14, 2015′ |
There is a new thinking that for
Nigeria to have a lasting peace, it should actually go confederal with each state developing at it’s own pace
rather than relying on a joint oil wealth to be shared at the center. Does that
make sense to you as an economist?
That
is the mistake of the military, they created too many states, I mean there
should never have been a Bayelsa state
because they did not meet the minimum requirement of at least ten local government areas and there
are so many unviable states like that. What they should be doing is consolidate
some of these states, try and make them viable, concentrate more on the local
government level, build up the people rather than allowing this entire monthly
bazaar in Abuja, sharing money. People are very angry, I am not joking. You
know I don’t usually talk but you persuaded me to say something about Nigeria
in the New Year; this year being an election year and I have to be sincere with
you.
is the mistake of the military, they created too many states, I mean there
should never have been a Bayelsa state
because they did not meet the minimum requirement of at least ten local government areas and there
are so many unviable states like that. What they should be doing is consolidate
some of these states, try and make them viable, concentrate more on the local
government level, build up the people rather than allowing this entire monthly
bazaar in Abuja, sharing money. People are very angry, I am not joking. You
know I don’t usually talk but you persuaded me to say something about Nigeria
in the New Year; this year being an election year and I have to be sincere with
you.
(Cuts in) Yeah, we believe that as a
statesman it won’t augur well for you to be silent?
statesman it won’t augur well for you to be silent?
No,
my father was a statesman; I am simply a citizen and I am proud to be a
Nigerian citizen.
my father was a statesman; I am simply a citizen and I am proud to be a
Nigerian citizen.
Let’s talk about your late father, Chief
Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade, would you say the democratic gains of his era have
been eroded by the immeasurable acts of corruption by present crop of
politicians?
Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade, would you say the democratic gains of his era have
been eroded by the immeasurable acts of corruption by present crop of
politicians?
I
understand Obasanjo sold most of the
government houses to these guys (Legislators) I really don’t know what the
vision is, I don’t know what the goal is I don’t know what the objective is, I don’t know what they are trying to achieve,
maybe to create a new elites or something, I don’t know. During my father’s
era, Politicians were mostly professionals. They made money from their
profession not from politics. I said that during the launch of my father’s
book. He was shuttling between Ibadan and Lagos and we were living in a rented
apartment even as he was of cabinet rank
in Western region where he was chairman of the
Finance corporation as far back as 1957. Even as parliamentarian at
independence we did not live in government house. Now legislators get paid
outlandish amount for housing, constituency allowance and other spurious
allocations which constitute a waste of resources.
understand Obasanjo sold most of the
government houses to these guys (Legislators) I really don’t know what the
vision is, I don’t know what the goal is I don’t know what the objective is, I don’t know what they are trying to achieve,
maybe to create a new elites or something, I don’t know. During my father’s
era, Politicians were mostly professionals. They made money from their
profession not from politics. I said that during the launch of my father’s
book. He was shuttling between Ibadan and Lagos and we were living in a rented
apartment even as he was of cabinet rank
in Western region where he was chairman of the
Finance corporation as far back as 1957. Even as parliamentarian at
independence we did not live in government house. Now legislators get paid
outlandish amount for housing, constituency allowance and other spurious
allocations which constitute a waste of resources.
 |
| Omo-Oba Sunmade Babajimi Akin-Olugbade to Asabeafrika….’I thought Jonathan’s pedigree as a graduate will turn things around in this country but i was greatly disappointed |
One of Jonathan’s famous statements
is that he doesn’t give a damn about the declaration of his assets. How do you
see that?
That
is certainly in poor state; coming from the President.
is certainly in poor state; coming from the President.
(Cuts in) But sir he said it on a
national network during a presidential chat on the Nigerian Television
Authority?
national network during a presidential chat on the Nigerian Television
Authority?
Yes,
I heard him say he had declared it as Vice President under Yar Adua. But Nigerians are asking for an update and the
constitution duly stipulates that.
I heard him say he had declared it as Vice President under Yar Adua. But Nigerians are asking for an update and the
constitution duly stipulates that.
And your friend and kinsman Dr. Doyin
Okupe says Jonathan is the new Nelson Mandela, do you agree with him because he
was one of the special guests at your son’s wedding in April 2014?
Okupe says Jonathan is the new Nelson Mandela, do you agree with him because he
was one of the special guests at your son’s wedding in April 2014?
Doyin Okupe is an old friend. His
father was one of the first indigenous bankers in this country. Doyin read medicine and he, indeed
practiced with my son’s father in-law, Dr.
Seyi Roberts. But right now I see Doyin
as nothing but a megaphone for Mr. President. That is all I can say about him.
father was one of the first indigenous bankers in this country. Doyin read medicine and he, indeed
practiced with my son’s father in-law, Dr.
Seyi Roberts. But right now I see Doyin
as nothing but a megaphone for Mr. President. That is all I can say about him.
Is that not too harsh on his person?
That
is the way I see him really because he is making some pronouncements that I
will not expect from somebody of his stock, knowing his pedigree, knowing his
background, knowing his education, it is very, very unfortunate. Like I said,
he is a personal friend but I am surprised at the way he is behaving. There are
other advisers to the government but I am sure they will not act that way.
is the way I see him really because he is making some pronouncements that I
will not expect from somebody of his stock, knowing his pedigree, knowing his
background, knowing his education, it is very, very unfortunate. Like I said,
he is a personal friend but I am surprised at the way he is behaving. There are
other advisers to the government but I am sure they will not act that way.
But have you ever tried calling his
attention to his political foible as a friend?
attention to his political foible as a friend?
No,
no, the last time I saw him was at my son’s wedding. I haven’t seen him since
then.
no, the last time I saw him was at my son’s wedding. I haven’t seen him since
then.
 |
| The Presidential Spokesman with best friend Dr. Seyi Roberts in the middle and other friends at Omo-Oba Sunmade Akin-Olugbade’s son’s wedding to Dr. Roberts’s daughter in April 2014 |
You mean you have not been able to
talk to him?
There
is nothing to talk about. He is at a job and I have none to give him. Don’t forget, Jonathan was my man, I voted for
him but he has let a lot of us down and he is telling us that Nigerians will
appreciate him when he leaves office. What are his parameters for that?
is nothing to talk about. He is at a job and I have none to give him. Don’t forget, Jonathan was my man, I voted for
him but he has let a lot of us down and he is telling us that Nigerians will
appreciate him when he leaves office. What are his parameters for that?
2015 is here today and the general
election is just six weeks away from here, what do you see happening?
election is just six weeks away from here, what do you see happening?
Let
me be honest with you, under normal circumstances General Buhari should not be presenting himself. Yes, considering
his age and the services he has rendered to this country, he has already served
this country but because of the precarious situation we are in, we need
somebody like that. Nigeria is really in a precarious situation, you know
people have said it, they have analyzed the situation; they have said Nigeria
may even disintegrate. God forbids. We have been praying in all the churches
and I understand in some of the mosques too. That Nigeria will be together,
that we would fulfill our manifest destiny that God has brought us together.
But even if we are going to disintegrate it shouldn’t be by bloodshed. Let’s
all agree, sit down and disagree to go our separate ways. There is no more need
for more blood; we already had far too much.
me be honest with you, under normal circumstances General Buhari should not be presenting himself. Yes, considering
his age and the services he has rendered to this country, he has already served
this country but because of the precarious situation we are in, we need
somebody like that. Nigeria is really in a precarious situation, you know
people have said it, they have analyzed the situation; they have said Nigeria
may even disintegrate. God forbids. We have been praying in all the churches
and I understand in some of the mosques too. That Nigeria will be together,
that we would fulfill our manifest destiny that God has brought us together.
But even if we are going to disintegrate it shouldn’t be by bloodshed. Let’s
all agree, sit down and disagree to go our separate ways. There is no more need
for more blood; we already had far too much.
But do you honestly think the US
prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015 will come to pass?
prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015 will come to pass?
We
don’t want Nigeria to disintegrate and I am sure we can pull through, there is
nothing we are going through that we cannot surmount. I am very bullish about Nigeria, I am sure
like the Ibo man will say “Ogadinma” (E go better)
don’t want Nigeria to disintegrate and I am sure we can pull through, there is
nothing we are going through that we cannot surmount. I am very bullish about Nigeria, I am sure
like the Ibo man will say “Ogadinma” (E go better)
So, if you are to take stock of the
entire situation would you say sentiment will perish and reality will prevail?
entire situation would you say sentiment will perish and reality will prevail?
Yes,
I am sure God will turn things around for this country.
I am sure God will turn things around for this country.
 |
| The very angry Economist, Prince Sunmade Babajimi Akin-Olugbade….’This present regime has really turned things upside down’ |
You voted for Goodluck Jonathan in
2011 would you vote him this time around?
No,
I have told you I am no longer with him. What we need right now in Nigeria is
discipline, orderly and security .We need to change our mindset, our
orientation about things. The entire lackadaisical attitude, people do ing
things with impunity, stealing and ensuring the National Assembly cannot even
perform its oversight function? No, not again. Can you imagine Dieziani (Petroleum Minister) refusing
to honor the invitation from the senate and the house? And we say we are
practicing democracy? Haba? What is all these? And they locked out a whole
speaker? No, we must put on our thinking
caps. Things just can’t continue like this; it is wrong; it is terrible for
this country. Look at the way things are going, we have graduates as drivers
all over the place, and even with their job as drivers they cannot make ends
meet. My own driver has HND (Higher
National Diploma Certificate). Is that the country we hope to leave for our
children? Please, let’s change this team. And then they go to Dubai, take a
whole floor in a hotel? And each room cost about two thousand dollars per
night? People know what is going on, they see what is going on.
I have told you I am no longer with him. What we need right now in Nigeria is
discipline, orderly and security .We need to change our mindset, our
orientation about things. The entire lackadaisical attitude, people do ing
things with impunity, stealing and ensuring the National Assembly cannot even
perform its oversight function? No, not again. Can you imagine Dieziani (Petroleum Minister) refusing
to honor the invitation from the senate and the house? And we say we are
practicing democracy? Haba? What is all these? And they locked out a whole
speaker? No, we must put on our thinking
caps. Things just can’t continue like this; it is wrong; it is terrible for
this country. Look at the way things are going, we have graduates as drivers
all over the place, and even with their job as drivers they cannot make ends
meet. My own driver has HND (Higher
National Diploma Certificate). Is that the country we hope to leave for our
children? Please, let’s change this team. And then they go to Dubai, take a
whole floor in a hotel? And each room cost about two thousand dollars per
night? People know what is going on, they see what is going on.
 |
| Prince Sunmade Akin-Olugbade to Asabeafrika…’In a country where minors like Tompolo and Asari Dokubo are threatning the unity of the country, one has no option than to think twice’ |
But you have not told me who you will
give your vote to and who you think Nigerians should vote for?
Let’s
have a change, let’s have a change; let’s give Buhari and Yemi
(Osinbajo) a chance. I have known Yemi
since he was in Corona School with my younger brother Bolu, and he has always been a brilliant guy. I think these are
guys (Buhari/Osinbajo) who mean well for this country. I don’t think it is
money they are after now. The present team hasn’t done much for the country. It
is unfortunate. The President should have done much better.
have a change, let’s have a change; let’s give Buhari and Yemi
(Osinbajo) a chance. I have known Yemi
since he was in Corona School with my younger brother Bolu, and he has always been a brilliant guy. I think these are
guys (Buhari/Osinbajo) who mean well for this country. I don’t think it is
money they are after now. The present team hasn’t done much for the country. It
is unfortunate. The President should have done much better.
