Two things you can’t but notice instantly about Mr. Demola Seriki – his good looks and his great dress sense. However, when you move closer, you will now notice a third and fourth one – his cerebral nature and civility. On Sunday, March 13, 2016, inside Oluwa Ni Sola Estate, in Ajah, Lagos, the former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria consented to an impromptu interview with YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, AZUH ARINZE. Born on November 30, 1959, the Lagos Island-born politician cum businessman who trained as an accountant was at ease speaking on divergent issues. Enjoy…
What would you describe as your major achievement as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
Well, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. Having said that, my major achievement cannot be limited to one. Don’t forget that I was in four ministries at four different times – I was the Minister of State, Agric and Water Resources; I was the Minister of Mines and Steel; I was the Minister of State, Defence and I was the Minister of Interior. And as a result, it’s very tight to say that this is my major one. But being a Minister was an extraordinary accomplishment because it is easier to be elected than to have been appointed. Being elected, you can be a criminal, you can be anything. But on appointment, Mr. President would have to consider a lot of issues and a lot of factors to make you a Minister. It’s a lot of consideration. First of all, in Agric and Water Resources, we did a lot of things. But what I consider the most outstanding in Agric and Water (Resources) was the issue of silos. We were able to put silos in almost every zone. No. 2, we were able to embark on CAP – Commercial Agricultural Programme, which was about N250 billion, extracted by all the states for commercial agriculture, because most of our farmers are already aged. We have less than 10 percent of our farmers who can drive tractors. So, it’s very tough and difficult to go on commercial agriculture. We needed to encourage young farmers in agric economy.
Now, let’s go to Mines and Steel. Mines and Steel Ministry never paid the salary of ASCON – Ajaokuta Steel Company of Nigeria for more than two years. We got the approval to ensure that we sustained ASCON and ASCON today is still very much sustainable. Let’s go to Ministry of Defence – under my stewardship, we did all to ensure that the cadets were being given a thorough consideration and also major equipment regarding defence technology (were procured). Military strategy was being engaged and given proper attention. Under my watch at the time in Defence, we did exceptionally well, by ensuring that Defence had its military strategy to be of akin the template in US and UK. Then, in Interior, which was my last forte. Immigration was given a good consideration that we had to engage a new template under the World Congress of Immigration. Quite a number of malpractises among Immigration Officers were dissuaded, were stopped and by the time we left, you can see what happened under Abba Moro. We would never have allowed what took place under Abba Moro to have taken place when I was the Minister of Interior and these are the things that you can consider to be of strategy and sustainability. Interior’s responsibility is one thing you must consider because nowhere in the world would you allow Immigration Officers to collect N1000 to employ people. That’s an aberration. That’s absurd. Anyway, be that as it may, I was blessed to have been able to go through portals of four major Ministries and I thank God for that.
What do you miss now about no longer being a Minister?
What I miss about it is not being able to contribute my quota, because I still have a lot to offer. That’s what I miss. For example, the issue of Boko Haram. I think, if I am a Minister today, there must be what we call PEPA – President’s Emergency Plan Against Boko Haram, of which the members of JIB (Joint Intelligence Board) should be meeting and be having a tall template and communiqué to develop security over and over by Nigeria, the international community, and the intelligence committee are not well synchronized and without that, we cannot exterminate or extinguish Boko Haram.
What is your general assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration?
No comment! (General laughter).
You’ve been into politics now for years. What got you interested in politics?
Well, it’s home-based. My grandmother, my mother…My grandmother was the National Woman Leader of NCNC, my mother was a Local Government Chairman of a party. And I had an interest to develop my state.
Let’s go a bit personal now. Most good looking men don’t marry beautiful women. But you happen to be among the few who did. How did you do it? How did you hook Mrs. Wosilat Seriki?
Well, I set a standard for myself in everything I do. Since I was growing up I set the standard and really I will never compromise on my standard and that may account for how I decided on my wife and we are very, very much together since 1989 till date.
So, how did both of you meet?
I met her in 87 during Moji Tejuosho and Lanre’s wedding and I couldn’t talk to her then for some reasons – because she had a child before then and I thought probably she was involved with someone. But in 89/90, she came to my mother’s burial and it was just 3 days after I lost my mom and that’s how we started. Because she was empathic; she’s a very, very empathic woman. She has sympathy and empathy and she’s a good house keeper and house mate.
What has kept the marriage going since then?
Resilience and perseverance.
What do you like most about her?
She tolerates me a lot.
What don’t you like about her?
None!
You also dress well. How did you cultivate that habit?
It’s part of my lifestyle. My lifestyle entails and requires a high degree and that’s what I’ve sustained.
When you are not working, what do you do to keep yourself busy?
I play golf for recreationing, I read.
Which is the most memorable book that you have read?
A lot! The last book I completed was Hard Choices, by Hillary Clinton. I’ve read a lot of books. I read a book a month, and the minimum volume is 400 (pages). I’ve read two books this year – Hillary Clinton, Hard Choices; the one in January was No Higher Honour, by Condoleeza Rice. I’ve read a book on Courage and Consequence by Karl Rove in December. So, I read a lot of books.
What is the greatest lesson that life has taught you?
Resilience and perseverance and tolerance.
Who has influenced your life the most?
My grandmother!
The turn-around in your life, how did it come about?
When my grandmother died…
What happened?
I was able to see the reality; because she spoilt me so much. I was the only grandchild for about 10 years and she had only my mother. In fact, I did not know she was not my mother until she died. I thought my mother was my sister. And that (her death) became an eye opener for me.
It’s obvious that God has been so nice to you. What more do you want from God?
Long life and prosperity. Prosperity, inclusive of health, good health, wealth, everything.
Which food is your favourite?
I eat everything, except pork.
Which drink is your favourite?
Well, really, my favourite drink is orange juice. Freshly squeezed. I don’t drink additives. I’ve been drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice every day for the past 15 years. It must be freshly squeezed and at least a glass.
Which colour is your favourite?
Blue! Sky blue.
Who is your favourite Nigerian?
My favourite Nigerian? (Laughs) That’s tough! But if I have to say it, really, it’s Obasanjo.
Why Obasanjo?
He’s so frank, and he has touched me. Obasanjo made me a Minister and he’s frank. He does not embrace sentiments. It’s not because he made me a Minister, but because he’s a man that does not embrace sentiments.
Lastly and being into politics, what’s your definition of politics?
Politics is statesmanship. Statesmanship! If you cannot be a good statesman, you cannot be a good politician. You must be a good statesman. For example, Donald Trump is not a politician. He’s trying to get a political job. He’s not a statesman, he doesn’t talk like a statesman. You have to be very sensitive to people’s thoughts or thinking, you have to think of sensitivity towards people, you have to think of how people will not get annoyed with you, you have to carry yourself effectively well, you must be able to be a leader and to lead well, you must be a statesman.