TheCable

Rilwan Akiolu, oba of Lagos, says politicians are the cause of unemployment in the country.

Akiolu spoke on Saturday during the convocation ceremony of Edo University, Iyamho in Etsako west local government area of the state.

He described the rate of unemployment as “worrisome”, saying politicians keep the youth in their pockets by enticing them with money instead of providing them with resources that will aid their contribution to the economy.

“The way we are going with the rate of unemployment is very worrisome and with due respect, it is you, politicians that are causing it,” he was quoted as saying.

“The little money the politicians give to you (youths) and you are shouting for them is only temporary. You should know that salvation is in the hands of God and not anybody.

“When I was coming to this hall I saw young people shouting; Obaseki, Oshiomhole, and all these young people are not only doing this in Edo state but nearly everywhere in the country.”

The oba called on governments at all levels to make “power available in the country”, saying “once that is done, all will be well”.

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the country can be better managed when importance is placed on ‘‘what one is capable of doing rather than who you know and where you are from’’.

He said the idea of establishing the Edo university was to have an institution where students are admitted “on the basis of competence and not sentiment”.

He commended Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, for “demonstrating the power of continuity regarding the institution”.

However, Akiolu, Obaseki and Aderemi Makanjuola, chancellor of Edo state university, were attacked by thugs at the residence of Oshiomhole after the convocation ceremony.

A witness said the Lagos monarch and the governor had gone to Oshiomhole’s house to honour the former governor’s invitation for lunch after the ceremony at the university.

Several vehicles were reported to have been smashed, and Obaseki’s security team had to intervene to stop a bloodbath.

Reacting, Oshiomhole blamed Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of the state, for the attack.

A statement by Simon Ebegbulem, media aide of Oshiomhole, alleged that the tension in the community started when the deputy governor visited on Friday and “imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidate political opponents”.