Mrs. Feyisetan George was the First Lady in the old Ondo State when her husband, then Navy Captain Olabode George, was the military governor of the state between 1987 and 1990. Reputed as enigmatic and brilliant, Feyi, as she is fondly called, is an attorney with specialty in Oil and Gas Law. And in tandem with her discipline, she has held forte at the directorates and management of many companies in the oil and gas sector. However, this woman who is an adherent of the Grail Message breezed into the country recently, after having been in South Africa since 2008. Today, she is separated from George and takes a different compliment of Mrs. Feyi Soluade-George, adding up her maiden name, 'Soluade'. Feyi, in this interview with Deputy Editor, Kayode Fasua, speaks on life in South Africa and also offers pieces of advice on how to make Nigeria great. Besides, she recalls what led to separation between her and George, now a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain. Excerpts:
Could you compare life in South Africa with Nigeria's?
Life in South Africa is very different from life in any other typically African country. It is a western country in Africa. They have infrastructure as you would find in the western world. However, geographically, it is located in Africa, and the original occupiers of that country are black Africans. And so, the incursion of the western civilization has impacted on them tremendously. So, they have good infrastructure. They have electricity, water, good roads. Their economy is structured against the pattern of western, capitalist principles, which I don't personally necessarily agree with. So the weather also; we have the four seasons. Very distinct, as you would find in the western world. And in a more recent time, we even have snow in Johannesburg. The people, however, are very different. When you stay in a country like South Africa, it is only then you appreciate the warmth, the love and the humaneness of Nigeria. And I also miss the foods (here).
You've attended many fora on human rights, anticorruption and other related issues; from your interactions, what can you deduce as general perception about Nigeria?
It is true that Nigeria ranks amongst the most corrupt countries in the world. But I'm also quick to add, that Nigeria has some of the best human beings in the world; in terms of humaneness, in terms of generosity, in terms of openness. And unfortunately for us, corruption has become an impediment as a result of oil boom which is going to constitute doom for us, if we are not careful. But from the investment potential perspective, there is no country on the face of the earth like Nigeria. There is none where there is a spirit of entrepreneurship. It is unequalled in the world. There is no country in the world where you would find men women, old young, so full of energy. There is something that is peculiar in Nigeria. Nobody can take that from us. And we have resilience; therefore, we are much more dependent on ourselves than we would on government. If we can only harness this energy, especially among the young people in this country; there are so many of them. The percentage of Nigerians today that are under 20 far outstrips those of us who are above 60. So government needs to take cognizance and a plan should be put in place for education. Education becomes the cornerstone stone that can help in further development of this country. Not education of one plus one is two but skill acquisition becomes important. If you go to the rural areas, there are lots of women with cassava; we can get young engineers to device machines, as they used to do in Aba, eastern Nigeria in those days. Machines are given to the women so that we kind of push them to make their garri; those who make ogogoro (native gin), we get better machines for them. Those who are in poultry we get for them and then we give a lot of incentive to the young people to be able to be their own persons. Because employment really for a country of about 250 million is not going to be so easy except for self employment.
Agriculture again is key. This country can be a food basket. I was at Benin at the weekend; the soil is so fertile. We must also try and help with stable electricity. The electricity problem has become the bane of this country because if we had energy, I'm absolutely sure that our industrial base would have gone to higher level than what was left behind by those post-independent efforts that were made by people like Chief Adeyemi Lawson, Henry Fajemirokun, Michael Opara in the East and so on and so forth.
What is your assessment of the anti-corruption crusade under President Goodluck Jonathan?
You see, I'm not in a position to judge because I don't live here. I only depend on what I hear and some that I read. But I don't need to be told anything really. What I know is that we are corrupt, we Nigerians. Whether it is Goodluck Jonathan, whether it is anybody else, we are corrupt because, if you send your driver to buy you fuel, he will shortchange you. If you send your steward to the market, the same thing. It is not Goodluck Jonathan who is going to do the magic. It is us Nigerians that would do the magic. And the magic can only start at home with the women. If as women, we inculcate the right moral values into our children, if as wives or husbands, we ensure that our homes are well run, our husbands are happy and they are afraid to do the wrong thing, things will be better.
In those days in Nigeria, when a headmaster is riding his bicycle in the village, everybody will bow for him, anywhere in this country because they are the custodians of life and existence. So we must go back to the drawing board and do less of finger-pointing because we all are in this basket of corruption. And that does not mean that government doesn't have a role but they have a very important role. And their role is more in the example that they give. Those in public offices must know that they are not there to enrich themselves; they are there to serve the people, not only in terms of infrastructure but even in their moral standing. A lot of people talk about Zik (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe) in the East, in the North, we talk of Sardauna (Ahmadu Bello) and in the West, we talk of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It is because of what they stood for. We don't have such real leaders that we can say 'this is my role model', today in Nigeria, which is unfortunate.
As a stakeholder in the oil sector, how would you rationalise the recent probe into frauds in the oil sector of the country?
I don't know the detail of the statement that you have made because I was not here. I only tried to focus on what I'm doing in South Africa. But let me tell you something, as somebody who has been in the oil sector for almost 40 years, regardless of what has happened, when you compare us to other developing countries, where they have no clue. Their whole assets in the hands of the western countries. They form what they give to the governments; the governments are not knowledgeable. I must say that the participation of young Nigerians in the oil and gas sector makes me very happy. I may not have benefitted but I am happy seeing my children doing well. So they will do very well, they will set up refineries. At least we will stop importing refined products. So the privatization of this sector is very important. And I think it has taken some leaps and bounds.
That is not to say that all is well, and I think those in charge must always remember that when they are given a position of Minister or even a President, it is only a tenure. It will not last forever. They must always remember that after now, how would they want to be remembered? Every one of us who is in public office must think in that sense. Our politicians must stop scrambling only for positions and money. It's the access to money, that's what drives them (politicians); it's not the love of the country.
What in your view can bring about peaceful co-existence in the Nigerian nation?
Antecedent is what informs the present. The past is what has informed the present situation. However, I know for real that if our politicians put the country first and self-interest at the back-burner, they will take better decisions as to the political framework that best suits us. And what the followers require is sincerity. We all own this country. The people from the South-South have a right to be in government, the people from the South- West have a right to be in the government. The people from the East have a right to be in the government. And the people from the North have a right to be in the government. The minorities in the Middle Belt also have a right to be in the government. This country belongs to all of us. It is not a prerogative of a group of people. That much is clear.
How about the insurgency in the North, how can it be ended?
Well, I'm not in government. It is easy for people to sit down and be arm-chair critics. I learnt that word from Olabode George. He is the one who used to say it. I can't sit here, not having all the information as to what is happening and make a statement. That will not be correct. However, Boko Haram is an unfortunate incident in the country; we are not alone though, because it is a wave that is flowing through many countries. We hope that those who are in charge and those who have the details will be helped to put paid to that unfortunate incident. So to that extent, I really cannot comment on what I do not know.
You were a First Lady in Ondo State between 1987 and 1990. How would you describe the era?
I enjoyed it. I love the women and I am sure you know the women love me. Even this last weekend I had a call from one of them. They are very much in touch with me. Somebody like Chief Okpako, the lady in Quintessence. She is still in close touch with Ogotun (now an Ekiti State community) women. She takes them abroad for exhibition. We have met many times at international fora, Chief Bisi Ogunleye. I learnt a lot in Ondo State. I learnt the value of honesty. The women are very honest people. The women are women of high moral value. The women are very hard working. It is as a consequence of their hard work that their children are professors and big people in this country today.
Could you set the record straight over an allegation that you, in the heat of rage, slapped a female civil servant while you were the First Lady of Ondo State?
I don't know anything about that episode, I don't know. It is one man, (the late) Godwin Adzuana-Daboh that had one newspaper; he wanted to scandalise Olabode George. I read it myself; it has nothing to do with me.
You never slapped any civil servant?
Never. Joke apart
When Olabode George was leaving as military governor of Ondo State, he was reported to have said, as what to be remembered for, that, 'A Lagos boy once passed through Ondo State'. That statement was interpreted to mean he had swept clean the state's treasury. Please react.
He didn't take their money. 'Bode did a lot for Ondo State. Salaries were always paid. There were developments all over the place, investments here and there. Ondo State was not a rich state when we got there. That Bode did well in Ondo State is a definite 'yes'. He is a Lagos boy, omo Eko ni now (He is of course a Lagos indigene). If you are an Ondo boy, won't you proclaim it? So, what is wrong in calling himself a Lagos Boy?
You seem to be very fond of Chief Olabode George; at what point did both of you separate?
We separated in 1993.
Why?
Emm...you know, Bode would always be a special person in my life. I mean...but Yoruba ni enu eni lafi n ko me je (a Yoruba adage says you reject what you don't want with your mouth). There comes a point where, if you cannot live together amicably any more-the marriage does not give you joy and mutual respects-then, the best thing is to go.
What is your opinion about the conviction and jailing of Chief George over fraud allegations?
Oh, the courts? Well, you know, I'm not a politician and I don't know much about the case as such. But what I know is that if the conviction is not correct, then time will rectify everything. There is nothing that time will not rectify. So long as we are alive, we'll live to see things turn around. And I believe, if that is the case, that is what will happen. We have seen many of that in life. Yes, it's not a one-sided thing. Bode has his side, his opponents have their side but it's the truth that must prevail. That is the law, spiritual law. And that is what is important.
What is your advice for the Nigerian youths?
The Nigerian youth has a brilliant future. But to get to that Eldorado, they must be disciplined. Discipline is the hallmark. Perseverance, not these quick bucks. Quick money is stealing. Work hard consistently and honestly and be disciplined. Then, there is no way you will not be successful. But wheeling-dealing is not the way out. Above all, you must raise your gates up and ask for help; whether you are a Muslim, whether you are Christian...whatever your confession, look up to your Creator first, be disciplined, be consistent, remain focused and the rest is a question of time.
National Mirror