ODUDUWA NEWS: Can we meet you Sir?
My name is Professor Raphael Afonja, now known as Professor Rahmon Afonja, I was a former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Oyo State, former Dean of Faculty at City University of New York, USA and former military personnel in US Army. I am a Professor of Civil Engineering and I have several other degrees related to the field. I am also a fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineer and the CEO/Managing Director of GAMUT Security and Escort Services.
Q: Recently, media space was awash with your conversion to Islam, what was the motivation behind it?
I had wanted to become a Muslim since my childhood age because I was given birth by parents with mixed religion, my father was a Christian while my mother was a practicing Muslim and it gave me a privilege to be nurtured and groomed along the doctrines of Islam and Christianity.
Q: How has it been combining politics with academics?
For me, when I think about politics, I think about service to the people. I always tell people that intention matters a lot. I came to Nigeria to serve my people and I have been channeling my strength towards the service to humanity. Particularly, the people of Oyo and Ogbomoso land and that is the reason why I am here. My motivation is to serve people and I have come to serve. My intention for coming to politics has always been the interest of the people.
Q: Can you give us an insight into your experiences during your time as the Commissioner for Works and Transport?
I had good and bad experiences. It’s unfortunate that sycophancy was at the forefront instead of commitment, dedication and sacrifice. I used to work from 6am to 11pm and most nights I would be out there checking one or two projects in order to ensure timely delivery.
I used to engage consultants outside to help in designing structural plans of roads and bridges and I never sacrificed meritocracy for mediocrity. Most of the projects currently embarked on by the Ministry of Works and Transport were structurally planned by me before I left office. I used to dedicate myself to the duties assigned to me by my principal and my target was to see him succeed. That has always been my philosophy whenever I am carrying out my responsibilities and duties. His landmark achievements while in office would be of great benefit to the people of Oyo State and I was dedicated and committed to the course because the governor was elected to serve the people of Oyo State.
I should inform you that this is the first interview I am granting after I left office. Let me use this medium to condemn certain misinformation out there where it was alleged that some files would be on my desk for weeks and months without being attended to, that’s a blatant lie. No file would spend more than 24hrs on my desk without being attended to. My philosophy at the Ministry was that no file should spend more than two days on my desk without being attended to. It must be treated and go to the appropriate channel. At times, my directors would come to work on Saturdays and Sundays and they would have to work day and night for the purpose of making things work out properly. The story out there that Professor Afonja used to delay files is a blatant lie and it was an attempt to smear my name.
Q: Immediately after you left office, there was a rumor that it was one inflated contract awarded by your Ministry that led to your removal by the State Governor, what can you say about this?
Nothing special in my removal, that was an appropriate time for me to exit as destined by God. I believe that every contractor must do his job; the issue of disagreement on the said contract was the Olodo road that goes towards Iwo and COVID-19 Centre. Then, the road was very bad and the Director of Highway at the Ministry submitted a bill to me which was very reasonable and I defended it at the State Executive meeting, because the road according to the proposal, if completed would last for a very long time. However, politics came into play as some people who had wanted to take the job felt that the best way was to come up with a lower bill and had their way. Though, I looked at the bill and concluded it was not going to work. Today, the rest has become history.
Q: From your experience while in the office having come across ‘toxic politicians’ and sycophants, are you still interested in politics or you want to take your leave?
Well, I always tell people that I’m not a full time politician, I am God sent to come and ameliorate the sufferings of the people and that has been my interest. One of the major reasons I left my job as the Dean of Faculty in a University in America to come and take the position of Commissioner was the interest of my people. The interest of my people has always been the motivation behind any step I take. On that note, I still remain a politician.
I met the Governor recently and we discussed at length. When I was the Commissioner, I knew I was there for an appointed time and a time would come that I would leave. I saw my exit coming and I have never regretted ever serving as a Commissioner. I am fulfilled with what I have done in that capacity and I am glad that most of the things being carried out by the Ministry today were my handiwork before I left. Everybody should remember that when you are given a seat, it is a privilege not an entitlement because at some point you either leave the office or the office leaves you. So painful, Kehinde Ayoola of blessed memory died while in the office, I pray for him often. The point I am making is that everyone would leave one day.
Q: Which party do you belong to currently?
I’m a PDP member, I never thought of decamping.
Q: There is no gainsaying in the fact that there are factions in PDP, which faction do you belong to?
Smiles! Let me say this, I don’t believe in factions and I pray and do hope that the crisis within our party gets resolved very soon because I believe if we want to win from the LG to FG we have to resolve all internal crises. I want the faction to understand that the Governor is the Governor, he was put in that position by God, and no matter how young he is, he should be respected.
I also want the Governor to understand that as a leader, you also need to appreciate the people that work tirelessly to get you elected; they should be heard and listened to. There should be certain level of compromise with them. The governor must be recognized and respected and whatever he does we should have it in mind that he has been given mandate to do that. We must work together as PDP and not to sell ourselves out. We have to support the Governor and he should also avoid sycophants who might want to mislead him. He should take his time to investigate and should endeavour to go extra mile to get his information right.
Q: 2023 is approaching, what’s your political plan?
For me, I’m praying for God’s directive on what I should do. My first assignment is to ensure that our party remains at the forefront, and make sure that we win across board. Secondly, like I said, the Governor is the leader of the Party in the State; we are looking forward to his leadership as to what role we should play.
Q: What can you say about Rt. Hon Mulikat Adeola’s Camp?
Let me speak about her as a person, Alhaja Mulikat is a very selfless person. I love her as a mother because she always desires best for all. I can boldly say that Alhaja is the most consistent person in the PDP for a very long time.
When I was in office, the misconception was that we were fighting. People insinuated that I distanced myself from her, but a lot of people don’t understand that I was in a different position which required my dedication and full commitment to the vision and aspiration of my boss. My work for the governor required my loyalty at all times no matter how the circumstances.
Hon. Mulikat is a respected leader of the party and I wasn’t disloyal to her but I was only being careful due to the crisis rocking our party. Though, I made my own mistakes and hold myself responsible to them. She’s a very good woman that wants the best for her people and the people of Oyo State. I just pray that the crisis within the party gets resolved very soon so that we can come together and work for the progress of the party.
Q: Was Rt. Hon Mulikat Adeola instrumental to your nomination as Commissioner?
Let me say that I am thankful to her, she later nominated me and I thank the Governor for accepting me and I am most grateful to everyone that was instrumental to getting the position.
I also found out that Hon. Ogunwuyi also played vital role that I didn’t know, let me say thank you to him also. I was told he said he doesn’t know who I am until when he checked my CV and was greatly convinced. He said I would be the right person for the job. That word, I think goes a long way. If he had said something differently; it would have gone the other way.
I wasn’t the only person nominated by Alhaja because she also nominated two other persons before me and the Governor rejected them. I am most grateful to her. Upon my announcement as Commissioner for Works, I had to resign my appointment as the Dean of a University at the United States of America after my screening.
Q: What’s your general advice to the youths, Nigerian leaders and the followers?
I am disappointed in our leadership from Presidency down to the Local Government. Let’s say the LGs do not really have the autonomy they supposed to have. I would say from the Presidency to National Assembly to Governors. I would say that I am disappointed that youths are not given opportunity to succeed.
There’s no support system that would give them the opportunity to make something out of themselves. Government can’t create employment for everybody, but government needs to create policies and enabling environment that would help people to come up with ideas.
The health care system is nothing to talk about; our leaders are very quick at jetting out for medical attention. The politicians, leaders and the rest of us need to put politics aside and step up and do the right thing. Otherwise, there comes a point in time there might be a revolution whereby the youths would start fighting back. Again, there has to be control on money spent on electioneering. A lot of good people would love to come out and contest elective positions but they cannot compete with moneybags who usually hold sway every electioneering time.
Also, the so called delegates who usually collect money for nomination of candidates are not helping our democracy too. The youths need to be given more opportunities to be part of governance. The Youths should also get their PVCs and be part of the process. Vote for the right people and don’t vote based on party.
Also, to you journalists, a lot of journalists have been sold out; they won’t ask the right questions from politicians. I am of the opinion that we need to start screening our candidates as individuals not as party members.
I am asking the youths to stand up, ask questions, and assess their CV. What have they done before? What about major achievements in their chosen careers or businesses and their capacities? Those should be our parameters for assessment rather than protesting every time.
On Security, there’s a lot to be done because we are lagging behind. Our security agencies need to be taken care of, including their welfare and everything that concerns them. The government needs to effectively engage everyone, including the traditional rulers and community leaders on security of lives and properties.
Lastly, I strongly believe in the strength of the youths, they should know that Yahoo Yahoo is not the way out, there are better things to do and some are striving day and night to make it. They should get a mentor, I’m also accessible and I would continue to do my best.