From Ayodele Olalere, in Lagos
The Oba of Lagos, Riliwan Aremu Akiolu has expressed fears that many local government chairmen may be jailed for embezzling council funds following the Supreme Court judgment which granted financial autonomy to local government.
He however urged Council Chairmen not to see the autonomy as an unhindered avenue or opportunity to embezzle public funds to prevent wanton embezzlement of LG funds.
Oba Akiolu gave the advice in a chat with newsmen while reacting to the judgment in his palace at lga-duganran on Lagos lsland.
Oba Akiolu said full autonomy granted to local government areas must make them more accountable to the people, adding that failure to spend local government funds judiciously will see many council chairmen jailed for corruption.
“Majority of the council chairmen have to be careful. If care is not taken, the prison yard will be full of them if they see it as an avenue to make money. It is now time for Nigerians to vote for good people as local government chairmen,” he said.
Oba Akiolu also used the medium to call on Nigerians to be patient with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its quest to reposition the country to greater heights.
‘Make unbiased suggestions and constructive criticism of your leaders, don’t pull them down with negative statements,” he said.
Oba Akiolu expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome all the challenges confronting her and come out stronger.
” I always tell Public office holders to understand that every position is temporary, hence all leaders must strive hard to be accountable to the people.”
Speaking earlier on the 60 years remembrance of a former Oba of Lagos, late Oba Musediku Adeniji Adele the second, Oba Akiolu urged the children of the late monarch to uphold the legacies of uprightness, fear of God and genuine for love mankind that their father left behind.
Among diginatries who graced the occasion were the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr Obafemi Hamzat , Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Kayode Roberts, White Cap Chiefs of Lagos led by the Opeoluwa of Lagos.
