By James Oyewole
The Ohimege-Igu of Kotonkarfe in Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, Dr. Saidu Akawu Salihu, has identified the erosion of the country’s past cherished values of honesty, integrity and love for one another, as the bane of the problems confronting Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview, the monarch, recalled that in time past, Nigerians looked after one another irrespective of religion, tribe or creed, noting sadly, that it is no longer so and called for a return to these old- time cherished values.
Nigerians, he said have gradually come to embrace a situation where everyone seems to be on his/her own and no one cares about the larger interest of the country or what would make the country make meaningful progress.
While adding his voice to the repeated calls to make constitutional provisions that would empower traditional rulers to enforce laws to a reasonable level, Dr. Salihu, maintained that doing so, the traditional institution would be able to help government at all levels, curb the increasing wave of insecurity and other social vices in the country.
He, though agreed that the country has made progress since independence, he however, noted that there is still much grounds to be conquered in order for the country to make more impactful progress; a progress that would reflect in the life of the country and its citizens.
On the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the monarch, maintained that even though the various socio-economic reforms being embarked upon by the administration seem to be painful, they are in the best interest of the country, pointing out that, the reforms are already yielding positive results.
According to him, gains are already being recorded at fiscal level and the Naira is gaining strength with the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), also improving, noting further that what the administration needs at this time is the understanding and support of the citizens.
He expressed optimism that before the last quarter of 2026, the positive gains would be visible in the lives of Nigerians and the country would gain the pride of place in the comity of nations.
Speaking on the Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo-led administration, Dr. Salihu, said, the various steps so far taken by the administration, are very re-assuring, adding that the administration has taken measures in more ways than one, to restore hope to the citizens of the state.
The contending issues of workers’ salaries, he said, have been nipped in the bud, pointing out that, “once workers, whose complains are often heard loudly, are taken care of, there is sure going to be peace and the economy of the state will witness a rebounce.”
On the rising insecurity in the country, the monarch, commended the Federal and Kogi State Government for the steps being taken to stem the tide and called on Nigerians not to hesitate to avail security agencies with needed information that would enable them discharge their duties.
He called for the establishment of a security outpost in his domain, especially given the fact that it is located on the busy Abuja-Lokoja highway, explaining that, “we have had our own fair share of this insecurity and government must be ready to come to our aid.”
*See details of the explosive interview on pages 12 and 13 of The Graphic Newspaper.
