“There Are Too Many Opportunities In Nigeria” – Alani Bankole Says Only Lazy People Are Hungry

• The Apena of Egbaland and Oluwo of Iporo-Ake, Chief Alani Bankole, has said most people who are hungry in Nigeria are lazy, arguing that the country has enough opportunities for people willing to work.
• His comments, alongside his criticism of parents and Nigeria’s political system, have sparked mixed reactions online.

The Apena of Egbaland and Oluwo of Iporo-Ake, Chief Alani Bankole, has said that most people who are hungry in Nigeria are lazy, arguing that the country has enough opportunities for people willing to work.

The 85-year-old made the statement during a media interaction on Wednesday, where he blamed both parents and the system for encouraging laziness among young Nigerians.

“There are too many opportunities in Nigeria for us not to be hungry. Most people who are hungry today are lazy people,” he said.

Bankole urged parents to expose their children to productive activities and teach them the dignity of labour instead of pampering them.

“Teach people how to make money, don’t give them money. Salary jobs are only meant to eat. When you learn how to create wealth, you become rich,” he said.

He also blamed Nigeria’s system for some of the problems facing the country, arguing that the structure inherited from the British has continued to create problems.

“The system has encouraged a lot of nonsense. The system is responsible for our everyday calamity. Is it Tinubu that will go and farm for you?” he queried.

Bankole further criticised the practice of presidents and governors choosing aides from states or constituencies rather than strictly on merit.

“You can only give what you have,” he said.

Asked to advise politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, Bankole declined, saying he was not familiar with the type of politics being practised today.

“No, I can’t advise them because I’m not used to this type of politics. When we were in politics, you couldn’t find me in any township at this time. I would take my campaign to rural and border areas.

“But today, you don’t see politicians go to anybody. I don’t know how they do it. They are practising a type of politics which I’m not used to, which I don’t know about. So that’s why I cannot, because when I was growing up, I didn’t go through this nonsense,” he stated.

The comments have generated reactions on social media.

Horluhwarshina Oluwabamidele: “Even fools grows old as well, so I’m not even disappointed”

E-prince Tosin Peterson: “When I was young I believed elders have sense but now ehn, hmmm”

Opeyemi Ridwan Adeoye: “See dis old man the hungry show in you”

Meek Majeed Usman: “Even fools grow old too”

Ajakaye Saheed Olawale: “Baba he be like say them don increase your farm land 😂😂”

Usman Jnr Shitu: “If them collect that title do you think you go survive?”

Tina Chris: “To whom rice is giving”

Emenim Chuks Dickson: “I’m not defending tinubu but the man is actually saying the truth”

Okoye Monday: “Make una ask am which work him dey do??
Where be him office?”

Alamka Solomon Inuwa: “This Man na Tinubu cousin so what do you guys expect?”

Mandy Oladimeji John: “Yes o. I am going for my 5th job today. Dangote money na change. I dey work hard now daddy”

Gabriel Shopade: “They have given 2cups of rice with 2 plastic garlic. Kundus to thanos. Oops I mean tinubs baby 🌚”

Sulayman Ope Ayodele Abule-oja: “This man sense done dey revised abi he was a politician well I don’t blame him he derived his wealth from politics”

Bari Aala: “So a share holder in Dangote oil and gas like me is lazy and hungry 😭😭😭”

Esiogu Gift: “I don’t think he know what he is saying 😁😁😁”

Ologun Ayodele: “Baba still dey live in 1960…when awolowo and co was ruling the country”

Michael Arinze: “If you like believe say elders get sense”

Ayanfe Olohun: “Make he share update na”

Yakubu Emeka: “No be every elderly person get sense”

Vir Tuous: “Yes is true”

Obumneme Nino Ibe: “Evident of bags of rice received….”