PROTEST: It takes the whole Village to raise a child; Mr President can't do it all alone-Olu of Oregun

It takes the whole Village to raise a child; Mr President can't do it all alone.

News24_International Reporting 

HRM Oba Dr. Olukunmi Olusesan Olukunmi (Olu of Oregun)

Frank Olorunsola had a Q&A session with HRM Oba Dr. Olukunmi on several issues calling urgent attention.

Good Day Kabiesi

Q: Can we meet you sir.

A: I am HRM Oba Dr. Olukunmi Olusesan Olukunmi (Olu of Oregun)

Q: Going by the comment of the Inspector General of Police which says legitimate protest is the right of the masses, what's your position ? 

A: Protest is part of the fundamental rights of citizens. 

 In most countries I have traveled to protest has always been violent because there are always criminals among them, there is no way one person can control a crowd, certainly one person among the crowd will do something unconstitutional, reasons government is concerned. 

Furthermore protest  is a family issue, meaning that the root cause of protest is as a result of defending family values.

However it's important to know protest  is guided by laws, you are not expected to destroy personal or government properties, no one has such right.

Q: Historically , will you say protest in Nigeria has been free from violence? 

A: No, reason the government is doing all it could to ensure Nigeria remain peaceful .

Q: Mr President said the proposed protest is a family matter what's your opinion sir? 

A: Yes it is. 

Q: The APC has been in government for years and going by what Mr President said, he said Nigerians should give them more time, what's your take on the request of more time?

A: So long as dialogue is in good faith, Nigerians need to give more time to Mr President.  

The request made so far either by NLC or Protesters requires time to get them achieved, remember there are economic Crises all over the world and Nigeria is not an exception.  

We know people are suffering in Nigeria, the reason the government should put it in place of a  workable framework to ameliorate the current problems.

There is no way to sugarcoat the fact that Nigerians are suffering ,however let's give this government a chance to fix things . 

Q: You talked about people suffering, the high cost of living which is partly the reason for the proposed August 1st protest.

What advice do you have for Mr. President ? 

A: I spent most of my early life in America ,I have lived and worked in the United State for 43 years.

As a professor talking from foreign perspective, the first thing the government must do is to establish a functional price control agency.

With such, the price control agency will regulate price movement and ensure commodities are sold with the actual price and not certain people calling the sort.

The United State of America has a very functional price control system and I admonish the federal government to tailor same approach .

In America there is a threshold, if prices goes up, the government sues the company.

There should be a fixed price control on Rice, Beans, petroleum products etc in Nigeria.

It will surprise you to know even Shell in time passed has been sued in America for increase in pump price, the likes of AT&T and walmart had been sued for various price increase .

Also and at such critical times the President needs people with good character to head government establishments.

Q : Since the NLC and Federal Government reached an agreement of the minimum wage, it's been approved and passed into law, do you think the request for #250,000 by the protesters holds any value knowing Labour has disassociated themselves from the protest. 

A: Though the #70,000 minimum wage is too little but it's better than what it use to be.

I agree with Mr. President that the minimum wage should be visited every 36 months as a result of of high cost of living which is also affected by other counties of the world .

To be honest Mr. President is trying a lot ,he has increased the allocations to State governors and also the autonomy to the local government.

Q: There is the Opinion that serious protesters should go to there state and protest, what's your opinion? 

A: No way, no one can ague that and I am not been bias of the fact that Lagos State is why everything is rolling , Lagos State is a model, others copy Lagos ,they cupy us, they know we are highly accommodating , they know we allow varieties.

People come to Lagos to forcefully take Lagos away from us.

They even went as far as saying Lagos is no man's land all because we were accommodated then  our kindness and goodness to visitors, if they have their way, they will take Lagos away from us all because we want to develop Lagos the more, we accommodated all kinds of people.

Even in America , foreigners came in and started clamoring for there own laws .

Because of development the Islamic community in America are clamoring for Islamic Public holiday like that  of Christmas.

Even in Saudi Arabia Christmas holiday is no public holiday.

So by extension, development is a function of movement of people and the demands of their rights.

Profile:

HRM Oba Dr. Olukunmi

✓Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

✓Master of Science in Industrial Technology ✓Doctor of Education in Educational Technology 

✓ Lived in the USA for 43 years.

Q: Sir, what's your view concerning protesters  blocking major roads, depriving other citizens of  movement affecting commercial activities ? 

A: Anytime there is no violence, injury, fighting or destruction of public or private properties " A protest is seen as peacefully" 

From my experience as an international person, protest in foreign countries such as America, once you get a permit from the government to stay or use a particular place, you must stay where your requested ti stay and dont disturb the peace and movement of others .

No one has the right to cause problems or disturb the peace of passersby. 

Q: Sir, taking a good look at the current situation in Nigeria, is there any hope? 

A: Yes, we have great hope.

Mr. President is on the right track and I want you to carefully listen to me now; It takes the whole village to raise a child, one person cannot do it alone, mins you if the President appointed people into positions, where the person or persons steals,  is that the fault of the president ? 

Mr. The president can't do everything, it's not possible for him to be everywhere at a time, reasons he has appointed in positions to coordinate.

But painfully we have bad actors who don't care about the progress of this country.

They have already moved their family abroad and are working in government for their own selfish interest .

Making this country a better place require our collective responsibility ,not just that one person , people should stop crying about Mr. President.

Q: What Solution will you suggest as a Royal Father ? 

A: To fire any government official found wanting, by the time Mr. President fires one, two ,three, the fourth person will sit up right.

Q: By your assessment ,whats your position concerning the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu' administration ? 

A: Permit me to say this.

I came back to Nigeria at the last minute of the Governor Ambode's administration.

I don't know much about him because I was called upon that it's the time for our ruling home to be the next Oba of Oregun.

On arrival , I must confess Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has done an excellent job in transforming Lagos State in my opinion.

Take a good look at the Lagos Infrastructure landscape, the railway and most especially the iconic link bridge between Maryland and Opebi to mention but a few.

In all sincerity, we are happy to have Governor Sanwo-Olu at such a critical time in our economy knowing that everything these days is all about money ,so far he has prioritized government spending on the right ventures.

Take a good look at the newly introduced Lagos State  parking fee system, such will eliminate the roadside touts and give gainful employment to unemployed graduates.

Q: What will say about the speedy passage of the National Anthem and  minimum wage bill by the Senate ?

A: We are different individuals, for me, I don't know why people are clamoring about the National Anthem, does it take away their job, salaries or means livelihood ? 

As to the minimum wage, it's highly commendable and shows the government cares about the living standard of Nigerian workers .

Q: What are the roles of Oba's in Lagos State in ensuring peaceful coexistence ? 

A: We are highly accommodating in Oregun and  Lagos state at large.

Host Oba's want peace and development knowing that we are now living in the western world where computers and the Internet have made life easy for everyone .

Q: At this junction, what advice do you have for the youth.

A: As a Royal Father, I wont to say don't protest, because it's your right by law, however if you must protest, don't be used to destroy personal or government properties.

Protest is guided by laws, do not go against the law , do not use this protect as a means to steal,hijack or destroy public facilities. 

Anyone found wanting will face the law.

Those who stay indoors can't be accused of destruction of lives and properties.

Q: Thank you for your time Kabiesi 

A: It's always my pleasure .