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The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has emphasized the importance of urban renewal in Lagos State, urging that such development initiatives must not come at the expense of displacing residents from their ancestral communities.
Speaking at his Iga-Iduganran Palace on Sunday during a ceremony marking his 82nd birthday and 22nd anniversary on the throne, the revered monarch called on Nigerians to return to God, embrace discipline, and reject greed and sycophancy, which he described as the root causes of the country’s challenges.
Oba Akiolu expressed profound gratitude to God for granting him the privilege of leadership, noting that true leadership demands wisdom, discipline, and a deep sense of spirituality.
“In Lagos and across Nigeria, our major problem 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.
“Everything in Lagos, especially within Iga Iduganran, has always been under the guidance of Almighty Allah and the authority of the Oba of Lagos,” he said.
The monarch lamented the decline of communal values among Lagos residents, noting that mutual care and family bonds that once defined the city’s social fabric were fast disappearing.
“We have lost our sense of communal living where relatives genuinely cared for one another. That should not be the case.
“If people are relocated for developmental purposes, they should be allowed to return to their communities once renewal projects are completed,” he stated.
Oba Akiolu also called on local government authorities to invest prudently, particularly in security logistics, emphasizing that improved patrol systems, transparency, and accountability would help reduce criminal activities.
He cautioned the political class to desist from acts that erode public trust and to always place the people’s welfare above personal interest.
“From today, let us all embrace honesty, sincerity of purpose, and a clear sense of direction. Think positively about others and never look down on anyone,” he advised, adding that: “Nigeria is a great country and, by the grace of Almighty Allah, it will be greater.”
Reflecting on his years in public service, the former Assistant Inspector-General of Police recalled an encounter with the late Chief Ernest Shonekan, during the short-lived Interim National Government that followed 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, Oba Akiolu said he served for 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.
