Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu was deputy governor of Lagos between 1992 and 1993, when she worked with former governor, Sir Michael Otedola, before the military cut short Nigeria?s democratic rule at the time. She was the first democratically elected female deputy governor in Nigeria.

A reporter?s delight any time, Alhaja Ojikutu bares her mind without minding whose ox is gored. She goes straight to the point and speaks truth to power, not minding the consequences.

In this concluding part of the interview which was started last week, the septuagenarian spoke on her disdain for extravagant display of stolen wealth by Nigeria?s leaders, as well as things the nation could learn from the imminent return of Donald Trump to the White House and how Nigeria should emulate the United States, United Kingdom and other countries where Nigerians are desperately relocating to. She also touched on how she relaxes these days.

These days, how do you relax and unwind?

I watch a lot of movies, I love movies and action movies. Sometimes, my eyes get tired because I?m always reading one story or another. This is how I started my life, anyway.

Back in my secondary school days, you would always find me in the library, reading stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It feels like I?ve returned to my youth in that sense.

When I was younger, people thought I would become a librarian because I was always reading. Now, it?s almost the same thing. I work in facility maintenance, but I relax by reading and watching short, interesting movies. Over time, I?ve distanced myself from many worldly affairs. I don?t go out much because the extravagance people display, often from questionable sources, is sometimes nauseating. I want to call on all Nigeria women especially those in positions of power to start shunning ostentatious living and extravagant display in their personal attire and activities

These days, I value privacy. I spend more time praying, meditating, and counselling people. Many reach out to me for advice, and I try to help as much as I can. I also pray to God that any challenges that come my way are only those He has already resolved. I don?t want problems without solutions. Instead, I ask that whatever challenges come, I can give glory to God as I overcome them. This has been my way of life.

What is your dream for our country Nigeria?

I?ve been praying that, in my lifetime, Nigeria will change for the better. I pray for the hearts of Nigerians to shift toward preferring what is good and putting the welfare of the nation above personal gain. The road you don?t maintain today could serve everyone tomorrow if properly cared for. When public resources like water are supplied, ensure the facilities are well-maintained. Teachers should also be committed to teaching people the right values and skills.

I believe God will answer the prayers of those who genuinely desire a better nation. I pray that all the wealth and resources taken abroad will be brought back to invest in Nigeria, making it thrive once again. May this nation become a destination others aspire to visit. I pray for a significant turnaround?not for death, but for something that compels people to return and contribute to the country?s progress.

Where there is no love, there is no regard for others. Without love, people won?t hesitate to terrorize, kidnap, or harm their fellow human beings. Equity demands that the government fulfil its purpose of serving the people rather than indulging in self-service. These are my thoughts and prayers, and I trust that God will answer them.

I also pray for pastors to truly pastor?to serve God?s people instead of pursuing material wealth, luxury, or personal gain. Let them return to the Christian way of serving God with humility and purpose. This is what keeps me going. I know that if God allows me to live longer, I will witness these changes, and I am begging Him to make it so. That?s why I don?t have investments abroad; my hope is firmly rooted in this nation. I believe in this country, and I pray that it will turn around for the better.

What is your take about the Trump?s imminent return as American President?

One thing I appreciate about his tenure is his call for people to go back to their nations and build them. I wish this sentiment could be fully implemented so that our people abroad would return and face the challenges here, working to make the country better. That?s one reason I?m glad Trump came into power?his push for nations to rebuild themselves should serve as a wake-up call, especially for African leaders.

What do you think of Nigeria and Nigerians?

Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey. Let the resources of this nation be used for the people. Let those who have hoarded the wealth of the land release it for the common good. It?s called commonwealth for a reason?it belongs to the people, not a privileged few. Why should we need to travel abroad for basic things like medical care? If someone chooses to go, it should be a matter of preference, not necessity. We have the potential to make this nation better than America or England. Most of the brains running other countries are Nigerians; why can?t we harness that brilliance here

What forces are holding us back? Who perpetuates the belief that we can only thrive outside Nigeria? Whatever it is, let us confront it head-on and rebuild this country so that everything we need can be found here. Unless it?s a personal choice, no one should have to leave Nigeria to access better opportunities. When I was younger and travelled abroad, I always dreamed of seeing Nigeria function as efficiently as those places. I saw the trains and buses in New York and tried to replicate the system in Lagos. To some extent, I succeeded, but corruption derailed everything. That same corruption continues to plague us today.

Why can?t we fight corruption and transform this nation into what we see in films about other countries? Look at China?they?ve built their own systems and infrastructures. Why can?t we do the same? Until we kill corruption and those who perpetuate it, progress will remain elusive. It all boils down to determination. People need to stop seeing leadership as an opportunity to enrich themselves. This mindset of ?if I get my share, I?ll be fine? is destructive. Sooner or later, nobody will be fine, and we?re fast approaching that point.

When everyone suffers, unrest becomes inevitable. The rich won?t be able to sleep soundly when hunger drives the masses to their gated estates. If basic survival becomes unattainable for the majority, desperation will follow. Do we want to wait until then? Change must start now, and it requires the collective determination of the masses to demand better and act accordingly.

When the leaders lead, the people will follow. The problem is that we are still accommodating bad behaviour. We talk about bad governance, but the truth is that people are still tolerating it. When people start reacting and demand change, leaders can no longer govern from afar. If they come among the people and are rejected, their flamboyance and self-interest will be exposed. The people will say no and demand the right things: proper roads, clean water, quality education, and affordable healthcare. Only then can the nation begin to thrive.

I don?t see why Nigeria can?t be as great as America, or as prosperous as France or the UK. Nigeria has the potential to be better, and the determination of its people will make that happen. It?s not wishful thinking; it?s something achievable, and I believe it will happen by the grace of God. People are now wiser?there?s an old saying that a fool amasses wealth thinking they will be the one to enjoy it. Who knows who will spend what you gather? So why not use it for the good of the people? If your neighbour is com?ortable, you too will be comfortable. But if your people are hungry and suffering while you are well-off, sooner or later, their suffering will become your own.

I am not happy attending these extravaganzas. I have watched many of them recently, and when I consider the resources involved and the sources of the money being spent, I wish we had a government that would ask people to declare how they acquired their wealth. If this were to happen, things would start to straighten up, but there is no one to question it. Everyone just carries on as if making money is enough to justify their actions. But how did you make it? When someone is placed in a position of authority, they become wealthier than their role requires, but there?s no visible progress. The office they were meant to improve becomes neglected, yet they celebrate their newfound wealth. Until society starts to frown upon this behaviour, we won?t see any real progress.

Heaven helps those who help themselves. If you stand firm in your beliefs, even if people call you names, change will begin to happen. I don?t harbour hate for anyone, but I can?t stand ostentatious people who display wealth that isn?t rightfully theirs. They abuse positions of authority for personal gain, and that, to me, is unacceptable. (The Sun)

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