The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, on Friday, decried the pervasive corruption crippling Nigeria, emphasising the alarming state of abject poverty affecting the majority of its citizens.
Addressing journalists after hosting the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who paid him homage at his palace, the monarch urged leaders at both federal and state levels to be guided by a sense of responsibility and fear of God.
The revered Pastor’s visit to Orile-Igbon was part of the December ‘Let’s Go-A-Fishing’ evangelism programme of the church.
Oba Alao expressed concern about the economic challenges facing the nation, calling for a reevaluation of governance to urgently alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
Grateful for Pastor Adeboye’s historic visit and prayers for the nation’s progress, he voiced his hopes for President Bola Tinubu to institute transformative changes.
“Today is a great day for me, for the first time in history, Pastor Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) will be visiting my palace and the town. We are deeply grateful to almighty God, we are thankful to him; we appreciate his visit and I know more blessings will come to this town from now onward with plenty of development.
“We had a private discussion, and it has to do with the progress and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, my environment here, Surulere local government, Ogbomoso zone, and Oyo state,” he said.
The Deputy Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs further emphasised the need for character-driven appointments, urging the president to choose individuals capable of bringing positive change and breaking away from the shackles of corruption.
Expressing worry about the economic divide in Nigeria, the monarch underscored the absence of a substantial middle class, warning of potential hyperinflation. He prayed for the success of President Tinubu’s administration, adding that failure could jeopardise the nation’s existence.
“I pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move quickly and do something great, change the scenario. The president should look at the people he’s appointing, he should be able to appoint people who have the fear of God, and character must be part of his choice of appointment.
“God Almighty will guide the president right. I pray for my governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. He has been doing well, and I expect much from him this second term. I have been close to the two personalities and everybody knows that they are my people. I participated well in their elections, but a lot is expected of them and I pray almighty God will not let them fail us.
“There is a lot of division all over the country, the crime rate is high because 80% of Nigerians are living in abject poverty, and there are no middle-class Nigerians anymore. It is either you are poor or you are extremely poor or extremely rich, no rich Nigerian. Those who are rich, are extremely rich and they are not even up to 2% of the entire population. The rest are poor”, the monarch lamented.
Oba Alao, however, pledged to closely monitor developments, restating his commitment to exposing errors and advocating for a government prioritising the well-being of the people.
