Oba of Lagos, Riliwanu Akiolu has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is not a materalistic public officer.
He stated this while addressing a-3-day Conference of Speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Lagos yesterday as part of activities for the 2018 Conference of Speakers which commenced in Friday in Lagos.
The speakers were led by the chairman of the conference and speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hons. Ismaila Kamba and Mudashiru Obasa respectively.
He said, “God loves this country and we are very lucky. My appeal to you, my sons and daughters is that let peace return to this country. Nigeria is not going to break. If all of us will cooperate together, Nigeria will move forward. We are all one and we should regard ourselves as that.
“If you watch the life of President Buhari, he is not materialistically minded like the other people. Cooperate with the national government. I believe in the corporate existence of Nigeria,” Akiolu urged the speakers on the challenges facing Buhari’s administration.
Saying that former president Olusegun Obasanjo political party was dead on arrival, Akiolu said Obasanjo is a very intelligent and hard-working man but he is also very wicked.
The Oba, who noted that politicians were the same, urged Nigerians to watch as 2019 elections approaches.
Urging the speakers to see the giant strides of the Lagos Assembly and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Akiolu said that number one problem of Lagos was the concession of Apapa Port.
The Oba, who said that Lagos has some peculiar issues added: “I beg all of you, give Lagos Special Status. You have seen our problem. This is not politics”.
He urged the politicians to have the welfare of the citizens at heart and ensure security of lives and property.
The Oba, who advocated funding for security agencies, called for cooperation in the area of intelligence for security agencies to end the ongoing security challenges facing the country.
He commended Ambode for massive investments in security, saying that he had not hidden the fact that Ambode would serve the second term as governor.
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The traditional ruler urged media practitioners to be professionally and avoid sensational reports in a bid to build a strong and united country.
Kamba, the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, said that apart from deliberations on national issues, the conference would discuss the autonomy for the legislatures.
Obasa described Akiolu as a mentor, counsellor, father and benefactor, who had dedicated his life to public service.
Obasa, who noted that the state was hosting the conference of Speakers for the second time, said that the conference aimed at discussing national issues as it affects various states.
He said that Akiolu had worked to ensure peace and tranquility in the state, noting that the Oba has contributed immensely to the states’ political development.
He urged other speakers to support the quest for special status for Lagos State.
