By SEYI JOHN-OKOH
I watched in dismay the videos of the looting and eventual razing of the palace of Oba of Lagos, HRH Oba Rilwan Akiolu. The people that looted the palace, from the video, were the regular young Lagos boys and girls. None of them cut the picture of an “Area Boy” as we usually call the miscreants in Lagos.
What baffled me the most was the sight of the young children that sat by the swimming pool. My sister, that watched the video with me asked in dismay, “Where are their mothers?” One is quick to guess that the people that perpetrated the dastardly act are the locals – those that live within the Oba’s vicinity. The looters were not in a hurry to “shop and go.” They looted, destroyed and settled down to play at the swimming pool.
Three questions flashed through my mind: Why would these happen to a well-revered king? Why would Lagos indigenes destroy their heritage? Where did Oba Akiolu get it wrong?
Oba Rilwan Akiolu appeared to be far from his people. Although he lives amongst them, they are not feeling his impact. The role of a king is to provide better life for his people and this in my opinion he has not made any effort to achieve. Oba Akiolu does not know the needs and aspirations of his people. He seems to be meddling more in the state politics than paying attention to his immediate vicinity.
Oba Rilwan Akiolu appeared to be far from his people. Although he lives amongst them, they are not feeling his impact.
The unfortunate happening in Oba Akiolu’s palace should be a key lesson for all the Obas, Igwes, Emirs and other key personalities. Most of them behave as superiors to the people and have built walls around themselves, which made them unreachable. Agreed, the king is supreme, the supremacy is confirmed in the impact they make in their environments.
What are the lessons learnt? The lessons are that your people are your immediate constituency. You must be in touch with them to know their yearnings. You must create an avenue to communicate with them regularly. Communication is power. Also, you must be seen as defending and fighting for their rights. You must create a budget to provide for their pressing needs periodically. It could be once in a month or bimonthly. Learn from the legacy of Late Chief Lamidi Adedibu who though had many enemies, was loved by the poor and needy, who are in the majority; because of his acts of benevolence.
It is a laudable idea to institute a scholarship for the less privilege and see to it that it reaches the right people. Use your political might to get the politicians to invest in your community. Let your people feel the impact of democracy. Let your palace be a place of refuge and succour. Institute a local justice system that will help in creating cordial relationship amongst your people.
It would also not be out of place to create a feedback mechanism where your people can drop their commendations, suggestions and make known their grievances. Make sure you attend to their grievances impartially and ensure their suggestions count. Be subtle in your political interest. The King is the father of all irrespective of their political leaning.
Agreed that the palace will be rebuilt, the traditional heritage in form of artifacts can never be replaced.
For you and I, the supposed common Nigerians, we all need to learn from the happenings in recent times. We all must affect our immediate environment positively to ensure that as God in Heaven is providing us with divine protection, the people around us are also providing earthly guards.
I commiserate with the king and his subjects and the entire Lagos people for the colossal loss of a heritage that was built over the decades.
Wikipaedia says of Iga Idunganran Palace: “The ancient palace was initially built in 1670 for Oba Gabaro (1669-1704). It was later refurbished by the Portuguese, with materials — especially tiles — brought in from Portugal. And the modern part was completed and commissioned on 1 October 1960 by the Prime Minister of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Recently modernized by the late Oba Adeniji Adele II and Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II, it underwent additional modernization in 2007/8 by the present Oba Akiolu in conjunction with the Lagos State government and the Nigerian Museum. Iga Idunganran has served as an administration center, the island’s market and hosted the Eyo festival.”
Agreed that the palace will be rebuilt, the traditional heritage in form of artifacts can never be replaced.
