The Olu of Itori in Ogun State, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, has lamented that the problem facing Nigeria is not the diverse ethnic groups but the mismanagement of both human and material resources.
The monarch said this on Thursday at his 60th birthday in Itori, Ogun State, which coincided with the Nation’s 60th Independence celebration.
While addressing our correspondent, Oba Abdulfatai said Nigeria is blessed with resources but mismanagement and unnecessary attachment to them created problems for the country.
“I believe that Nigeria is great. Because in terms of mineral resources, economy and anything we can think of, we are great! But mismanagement is our problem. And what brought mismanagement is unnecessary attachment to the resources,” he said.
Speaking on the religiosity of the Nigeria people, Oba Abdulfatai said “Being religious will not take us anywhere but we should be a knowledgeable country. Knowledge will take us places. We should also make truth our standard and priority,” he advised.
The monarch also lamented that traditional rulers have no significant role in the Nigerian Constitution, advising the government to involve traditional rulers in the nation’s polity. He added that “the politics in the traditional institution is higher than the one out there.”
While recounting his achievements since enthronement, the monarch revealed that Itori has experienced development in various phases from education to job creation to transportation and the list abounds.
“When we were young, Itori had only one primary School. But at present, we have countless of primary and secondary schools. We now also have a tertiary Institution. In the next one year, Itori will blow up,” he said.
Oba Akamo described himself as a very progressive and optimistic person who believes there is nothing God cannot do as he is nothing without God, giving all praises to God who has spared his life to see 60 years.