Interview BY GODDAY ODIDI I AM THE RECOGNIZED SARKIN HAUSAWA OF AJEROMI- IFELODUN – Alhaji Adamu Alhaji Adamu Abubakar(Navy) is a retired Master Warrant Officer 1 in the Nigerian Navy and served for 32 consecutive years. He served under various VIPs, Minister of Defense and others. He was a well-trained Navy Officer to the core. He is the present Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland, Asiwaju of Arewa, Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Alakoso of Arewa of Alabiayagba. He is a Muslim scholar and a Philanthropist to the core.In this interview with Godday Odidi,he explains why the present Ajeromi- ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu refused to recognize him as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun of Ojoraland and other sundry issues. Excerpts: May we meet you Sir? I am Alhaji Adamu Abubakar and popularly called as Navy. I retired as Master Warrant Officer 1 in the Nigerian Navy and meritoriously served for 32 consecutive years. I am from Kano State. I am presently the authentic and recognized Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland, Asiwaju of Arewa, Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Alakoso of Arewa of Alabiayagba. I was in the intelligence military department and one of those that went to ECOMOG peace-keeping force in Liberia and others. Why Ajeromi- Ifelodun Chairman refused to recognize you as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland? I was coronated as the authentic Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun of Ojoraland by His Royal Majesty (HRM) Aremu. I am one of the Hausa people who have largely contributed to the developmental progress of my people living within Ajeromi- Ifelodun community including politics. I was coronated with a position by His Royal Majesty which caused confusion in Ajeromi- Ifelodun community but was later resolved. Many of my Hausa prominent sons within the local government resisted my new position and refused to honour me but it was God that used His Royal Majesty to coronate me. The present Ajeromi- Ifelodun Chairman, Hon. Kamal Bayewu insisted that there was another Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun before I was coronated, so he does not recognize me but Alhaji Sidi only. My new position was confirmed from Ojora community. I was sent a letter from the Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu which was signed by the council manager which stated that my position is not recognized. Though the problem started when I supported one of the chairmanship aspirants that contested with him in 2012 which the opponent later stepped down for him as a result of order from the National ACN leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu.So it was a pay back of my new position. I did not bother because I have nothing to gain from his government because God has enrichly blessed me. I have no dispute with anybody in Ajeromi- Ifelodun. Hon Rabiu Oluwa, the former council chairman and present ACN Badagry division leader that presented my certificate to me through the order of His Royal Majesty of Ojoraland. Some elements within the local government decided to work against me at all cost through one unlettered Hausa Mallam mogul.If anybody says that I am not a recognized Sarkin of Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, he or she must be making a great mistake because I was brought up in Lagos, only military assignment that took me out of the state. In fact all my businesses are in Lagos. How did you rate the present Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu in terms of developmental strides and ACN in Lagos State? Hon Kamal Bayewu is presently serving his second term in office. Well I would not make any comment on that but ACN is a regional political party which would be known as All Progressives Congress (APC) any moment. In 2015 elections, credible people would be elected into offices and no longer automatic ticket again for corrupt politicians. This automatic ticket in the party has robbed my great people of their visions in recent past years. I am of the opinion that democracy would soon prevail in Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Nigeria. As Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, What is your leadership challenge? I have no problem with my Hausa community in Ajeromi- Ifelodun. I am the recognized leader of my people. I am directly answerable to His Royal Majesty, Aremu. The major challenge is that some unfaithful elements within my Hausa people are not happy with my position of being the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun. I did not impose myself on the throne. With all the petitions written against me, I still remain the recognized Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun. If the present Chairman does not recognize me today another new chairman will recognize me because I have contributed to the growth of Ajerom- Ifelodun. No prominent politician who does not know me in Ajeromi- Ifelodun except those enemies of progress of my position. Did you support the recent release of Hamza Al- Mustapha ? Yes of course, he was accused of attempt murder, but I thank for it. It is a victory for democracy. How did you describe the state of security in Nigeria? Only God will secure Nigeria not federal government. What has been the secret of your success in the Nigerian Navy? Well, I was loyal to those I served and friendly with the civilians too. I was not a rigid person. I played my card well, after service; there is another life to live. I had no problem with my high-ranking officers I served. Life is all about giving back to the society. I was the person that singlehandedly built some of the notable mosques and did the welcome to Nigerian Navy at the Barracks here which was built in 1962. What is your advice for young people who intended to join the Nigerian Navy? They should learn to be loyal to their boss, and then their promotion would be fully guaranteed. It is loyalty that brought me to this position before my retirement. To God be the glory, I have received several awards in Nigeria.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:10:30 +0000
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