For Nigeria to make meaningful progress that would see it overcoming some of its protracted challenges, the country needs leaders that exhibit the virtues and traits of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Prof. Lai Olurode.
This was the submission of some prominent Nigerians during the celebration of Prof. Olurode’s commitment to excellence with an award of recognition for meritorious services organised by Iwo Compatible Fellows (ICOF), which was held at See Bee Event Centre, Iwo, Osun State, recently.
Former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; a scholar at the University of Lagos, Prof. Lukmon Adeoti; a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Emeritus Prof. Olayide Abass; Prof. Adewale Yagboyaju of the Political Science Department, University of Ibadan and Prof. Mujidat Omolara Aremu were among those who expressed this view at the event.
Awolowo was the first premier of the defunct Western Region, who brought a lot of enviable developments and progress to the region while Olurode is a former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka.
All speakers at the event testified to the impact Olurode has made in the academia and in modeling lives. To Adeoti, leaders have a lot to learn from Olurode’s traits and virtues. “Prof. Olurode has a lot of attributes, which Nigerian leaders need to emulate. He is a different thing to different people. But there is unanimity that he is an embodiment of great virtues that are needed for development in nation building.
“If you find a leader that is ready to show us the way, people in Nigeria are ready to follow. It is the right leadership we lack in this country. If we get it right, and with the right leaders, Nigeria will change for good.
“It is very unfortunate that Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory was unable to govern this country. Secondly, if the military had allowed Chief M.K.O.Abiola to lead then, maybe, he would have set the path for us, so that Nigeria can move forward. We are praying for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
On his part, Lukmon said that Olurode has the attributes and traits of Awolowo, saying he wants the progress of all. According to him, Olurode mentored and nurtured him right from his undergraduate days till he became a scholar.
Abass, who is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, also said: “Olurode is a weapon of mass development. He is a ladder to success for many people. He impacts many lives. He promotes religion.
“Words are not enough to describe what Lai has done for humanity. He is an academic that is full of humanity. He is a man of excellence. He is a super role model. He doesn’t seek leadership but it comes his way.
“While I will not compare Olurode with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leaders can emulate Awolowo’s high level of foresight, discipline and commitment. Awolowo looked and prepared ahead. Today’s leaders must prepare ahead.”
To Yagboyaju, Olurode is a case study. The UI professor said: “He is a father but he calls me his friend. He was my lecturer as an undergraduate. He facilitated my lecturing job. He was instrumental to my first international exposure, my first publication, my first article in the journal. He is Iwo-personified and committed to anything that is good. He is a case study”.
On her part, Aremu described Olurode as a pathfinder and torchbearer for upcoming generations; a progressive minded, forward looking and compassionate fellow for community and human development.
Justice Wasiu Dejo Akanbi said Olurode lives an exemplary life. Alhaji Ashim Oladiti from INEC recalled that Olurode showed him uncommon love while serving at the commission. “We have a lot to learn from him, especially the young ones. He left indelible marks at INEC,” Oladiti added.
For Prince Olalekan Abimbola, Olurode started to exhibit boldness and hatred for injustice right from a very young age, adding: “He is younger than I but he encouraged me to desist from some unwholesome acts. He is an Afenifere.”
Speaking on the rationale behind the award, the President of Iwo Compatible Fellow, Alhaji Yusuf Adesina, said Olurode is one of the best and patriotic persons in Iwo.Responding, Olurode lamented the rate at which cottage industries in the country were going moribund, calling on the government to initiate policies that would support their sustainability, growth and development.
Olurode, who disclosed details of his conversation with the owner of a company that has closed shop in Ikorodu area of Lagos State due to market forces, said: “I cannot thank the organisers of this event enough and all of you for being in attendance. This honour isn’t mine but for the sake of Allah.
“Sometimes in 1991, I conducted a research in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State. In the course of my research work, I met with dominant social, political and economic elites in Ikorodu and its adjoining communities. Among several observations, I noticed the robust presence of cottage industries then providing employment opportunities for many dwellers in the rural areas. Apart from Ikorodu, I also undertook a research tour of Imota, Ijede, Igbogbo, Ipakodo and Baiyeku, among others. Vibrant local industrial settlements dotted the landscape.
“On September 14, this year, I returned to Ikorodu after over 30 years of my research visit in 1991. But my second visit was as a guest lecturer at Oriwu Club on the occasion of its golden jubilee. On that occasion, I spoke on ‘Knowledge, Power and Skepticism: Nigeria and Oriwu Club of Ikorodu in Perspectives’. My objective in that lecture was to understand Nigeria through the lens of Ikorodu Division and Oriwu Club in particular. By the way, Oriwu Club is a collection of highly placed individuals in Ikorodu Division, many of them professionals and captains of industries.
“At the end of the lecture, I noticed that an older acquaintance was absent in the person of Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun of Igbogbo town in Ikorodu. He was formerly a Secretary to the Government of Lagos State under that former super action governor of the state, Alh. Lateef Kayode Jakande (1979-1983). Later in the evening after my lecture, I received a text message from Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun, which reads as follows: ‘Prof, good afternoon and compliments. My Kabiyesi, The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, told me you were at Oriwu Club yesterday. I just want to say hi for coming to our area. Happy and blessed weekend. Olorunfunmi Basorun.’
“My reply goes thus: ‘Good afternoon sir. I was in a meeting in the mosque when you called. I had looked forward to seeing you at Oriwu Club yesterday. Yes, I had some good time with Kabiyesi Adeboruwa yesterday. Your Kingdom was lucky to have him as your Oba. If I may ask, how is Romo Nigeria Co. Ltd doing? And such others like Continental Industrial Cases Ltd; Abel Abu Garment Industries Ltd; Aro Chemicals Ltd; Olokunola Industrial Enterprises Ltd; and Tolarem Ceramics Nig. Ltd. They were all contributing to Nigeria’s development when I undertook research of the division some 30 years ago. It will be great to have them on their feet and not gasping for breath or disappearing from the industrial map completely. Nigeria is very hostile to production oriented enterprises. Have a great weekend sir.’
“The former secretary to the Lagos State government response goes thus: ‘All the companies have gone under. Mine, Romo Nig Co. Ltd, the last to go just three years ago, was a victim of market force. Romo produces majorly black refuse bags for the state and local governments. When the state decided on importing the item in 2020, because it was cheaper, we lost the market and later folded up. I still live in Igbogbo and with God’s grace, healthy and happy. Thanks for your quick response. Have a blissful weekend.’
“In my reaction to his lamentations, I concluded as follows: ‘Sir, This is disastrous for our country. When cottage industries go under, jobs get erased; poverty rises. How can Nigeria grow local efforts? Thank you sir. Lai Olurode.’
“In concluding this speaking engagement, let me indulge in some rhetoric. What should our government do to reverse the trend of job erosion from Nigeria’s industrial map? There is no doubt, small scale entrepreneurs are the major employers of labour. We need policies that will support their sustainability, growth and development.
“There was once an industrial policy that grew cottage industries as well as major industries in all regions of Nigeria. This policy once provided state protection to local nascent industrial efforts against cheap importation and dumping. The so-called free market is mere propaganda. Nowhere is it allowed to have a free reign. Russia and America protect their industries in order to protect local jobs. Unbridled importation can only signal economic slavery for Third World countries. Nigeria has the population and it has the potential to capture the market in the West African sub-region. The state and local authorities should support local entrepreneurs with grants; and allocate more resources to make rural areas more habitable. There is too much pandering to and pampering of political elites who are mainly consumers rather than being producers. Development is impossible without production as labour is the sole source of value.
“Fortunately, we have an investor as our president, a nationalist and a core progressive, who was familiar with the industrial success story in the old Western Region; an employer of labour, one of the versatile minds who is cosmopolitan and who has all it takes with his team to breathe life into Nigeria’s once active and robust industrial path in different locations in Nigeria. Nigeria and its leaders need to act fast to arrest the sad reversal that I observed in Ikorodu Division and thus revive its moribund cottage industries.”
