Women never supportive of themselves, says Sinatu Ojikutu, ex-dep gov

Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu  was the first woman elected into the position of  deputy governor in Lagos State. She was strong-willed and highly committed to the development of the state and the well-being of Nigerians. The former number two citizen in  Lagos, shared with YEMISI OLUSINA some fond memories of her childhood, her days as deputy governor and how Nigeria will become a better democratic nation, among others.

 

Where did you grow up and what were some of the fond memories of those times?

I was born in Lagos, had my early childhood in the state before my mother had me move to Ekiti State where I would actually say I had my entire childhood.  In those days, the belief was that most Lagosians were not given to education. They had no flair for going to school. But my mother held education in high esteem. When in primary two, I was promoted on trial; my mother saw the need for me to change the environment to be able to concentrate on my education.

Although she did not go to school but she attached a lot of importance to education. She, therefore, convinced me to follow my sister to Ado-Ekiti to stay with one of our aunties. I did but the experience was not palatable at all. The woman was very harsh on us. For one minor offence, one day, she gave me 32 lashes of the cane and I decided to run away.  Without considering the details, I made up my mind to go to the next village where I had another auntie from my father’s side, who was married to a chief lived.

That day, after school, I was in Physical Education uniform and just turned my back to Ado-Ekiti and faced Iyin Ekiti. I was just nine years old then and trekked for hours to the place. Well, there was good security then, not like now when kidnappers and all are all over the place.  I trekked for about five hours. They were very receptive and kinder than the other woman. It was at that place that my sense of leadership was built. Everyone loved me because I was serviceable. They used to call me ‘Ara Eko.’ I did well in school. The only problem I had was with their kind of food.  I couldn’t eat their food. It was only plantains I ate for almost one year before I became used to their foods. All my siblings, who came from Lagos ran back because there was no light but I stayed.

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I loved going to the stream. I would balance the clay pot on my head, carry water, make different designs with our broom on the sand while sweeping every morning. We used to sing different songs in the evening, and they had a lot of traditional festivals they celebrated. Iyin-Ekiti was a very interesting place to be. They were very accommodating people; I enjoyed my stay there. My auntie used to sell kerosene, matches and all that but she would not want me to hawk anything but I insisted until she bought a tray for me to hawk and whenever I went selling, I was always the first person to sell all my goods. Ironically, while I was enjoying their town, the children in the village were clamouring to go to Lagos.

I went to Our Ladies of Apostles for my secondary education. I hated bullying and like a tomboy, I fought those who bullied others. I was always among the first five in class. I went to Ilesa for my HSC. I was a beautiful girl and was named “she who must be obeyed”. I came back to Lagos for my university education.

What was life like before you became the state’s deputy governor?

I had a varied, very interesting and challenging career prior to the elective office. Varied in the sense that I went from the finance sector to administration and then I went back to the finance sector. I first worked in the banking sector. I later went for my Masters and then returned to banking at the Central Bank. I was at the Research Department but all through the period, I was not fulfilled.  I was dissatisfied; I needed something more challenging. So, I requested to be transferred to the Operation Department. But they said no because, then it was the policy of the bank not to have women work in the Operation Department because there, you can be transferred to any part of the country at any time.

So, they didn’t want women palaver of my family is this, my family is that. Well, I told them that I was ready to go all the way without giving any complaint, that I was ready to go anywhere. However, the Governor of CBN then was skeptical; he said I would soon be married and the music would change. I got married while I was still at the Central Bank, as he envisaged. I was posted to the Transport Unit of the Ministry of Finance. I faced a lot of challenges there. People were stealing spare parts and I wanted it to be checked. My opinion was viewed with hostility and the people concluded that I must be removed. You know, corruption has always been around and among us; it is not just starting now. For about 22 days, they downed tools and protested that Mrs. Ojikutu must go. The governor then set up a panel to investigate the matter and it was discovered that my cause was right but I had to leave.

I was moved to Lands and as usual, I made my mark there. Before I was there, only 50 Certificates of Occupancy were issued but under my leadership, 2,000 were issued out.  After a while, the then governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, was removed and I got bored.  I went back to finance and was considered for the position of the Executive Director of Nigeria Bank of Commerce and Industry, which led to small and medium scale industry. This board was also dissolved because of allegations of corruption and we were sent away. But I stood to challenge why I was removed and the minister said I had nothing to do with whatever that led to the dissolution and promised to reinstate me.  That was what they did. Politics just started at that time and when they were looking for a woman to partner with the gubernatorial candidate, I was picked.

How did this choice feel then?

It was least expected and I was very happy. It encouraged me to keep up the hard work and a clean record because I knew that it was my past record of diligence and integrity that brought my name up for the position. I promised myself not to relent on the good work.

How functional are female deputy governors because many people believe that they are just ceremonial?

It is not only the female deputy governors alone; it is about anything deputy, any office that deputises. I call them spare tyres.  In my own time, I refused to be a glorified deputy.  I created jobs for myself. I used to tell my governor then that people out there were expecting us to work, so, we must work. I did not just sit and wait to be sent on errands, I was a very visible deputy governor. I always sent my daily manifesto to my governor to give him an idea of what I planned to do and when I did not get a response, I took it as consent since that is what silence means.

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I got myself busy because I am from the Island in Lagos and I want to be free to continue to buy my booli (roasted plantain), my roasted corn on the road without the fear of being mobbed or slapped by somebody. So, I created jobs, I was very active for the two years I was in office. I consulted a lawyer and he told me my action was right. Mind you, I never undermined my governor. I gave him all the credit; I never took the credit because I was supposed to complement him. Any deputy who wants to stand out must borrow a leaf from this.  You should know that you are an exigent deputy. Always have it in mind that there are people out there, who want to be more of a deputy than you. So, you have to be watchful and make up your mind to work, as you carry your boss along. For me, I decided not to just be a number two who would just be a toothless bull-dog.

How do you think the number of women in politics can be improved?

So far, the number has been very poor and quite discouraging and this is because women are never supportive of themselves and men encouraged this. It happened to me too. What they do is that to ensure that those who can mentor or help you are separated from you. Until women are conscious of this and realise the effects it has on their political career, the problem will remain unsolved. The number of women in politics will continue to be few.

What do you think about President Buhari’s fight against corruption? How effective has it been and what hope does the country have in the next four years?

Nigeria has been spoilt for about 22 years so much that the system is degraded. People cheat at the slightest opportunity. It has become so bad that if you mention to anyone that you are a Nigerian anywhere outside the country, the first thing that comes to their mind is corruption. Before, people didn’t want to be seen as corrupt; now, it is like the in-thing. That is why I am happy that there is someone at helm of the government, who is determined to fight corruption. He has been doing it but you see, this is not a simple task. I believe the next four years will open a new chapter for the country.

I just wish we all we do our best to join him in his mission. I hope he will constitute a body that will be overseeing every allocated project to monitor the execution of such projects and how the money is expended. I also hope he will tackle the problem of unemployment that has become alarming and I believe that with the right people in his cabinet, the nation will, as he has promised, be taken to the next level of goodness. He is able to lead Nigeria better. As a matter of fact, PDP has no moral ground to challenge APC. I blame APC for allowing PDP to even come up at all.

They are like a snake that has its head cut but not killed. For the fight against corruption to succeed, everyone should become a whistle blower. The state government should allow the local government to operate; they should stop diverting the funds meant for them to their pockets. Nigerians should learn how to interpret the budget and monitor councillors at the grassroots. If every arm of government is doing what they are expected to do, the urge for restructuring will be reduced.

Do you think there is democracy in Lagos?

No. Lagos is under autocracy, not democracy.