The Awujale of Ijebuland and its paramount ruler, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on Thursday urged political leaders to seek the advice of traditional rulers in addressing the current challenges facing the country.
Adetona made the call at his 2nd Annual Professorial Chair Lecture organised by the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun.
The lecture which had the theme – ‘Civil Society and Governance in Nigeria’s Evolving Democracy, 1999-2018′, was part of activities to commemorate the monarch’s 84th birthday.
He said that the non-involvement of traditional rulers in policy formulation and implementation contributed to the problems in the country.
”When the colonial masters came, they recognised the role of the Obas in the society and there was peace and stability.
”It is sad to note that our present political leaders do not recognise the role of traditional rulers in the society.
”They are supposed to consult with the Obas because they are closer to the people and they know the problems and yearnings of the people.
”Today, Obas are speechless and sidelined; they can not contribute to government policies; this is why we are experiencing killings, armed robbery, thuggery and violence in the country.
” I am calling on government at all levels to work with traditional rulers to ensure security and development in the country, ” he said.
Adetona also urged the Federal Government to invest more on the security of lives and property and not infrastructure.
According to him, if lives are not secured, who will utilise the infrastructure?
”This is why we established this lecture to contribute and advise government so we can help Nigeria overcome its challenges.
” The professorial chair will keep striving for the enthronement of transparency and good governance in Nigeria, ” he said.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, A university lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, called for continuous advocacy by civil society groups to enthrone good governance and deepen the nation’s democracy.
He lamented that governance in the country had remained shallow and disconnected from the people due to the weakening activities of civil societies.
According to him, there have been widespread insecurity of lives, collapsing infrastructure and public services, dysfunctional educational and healthcare system cause by governance crisis.
”So, if there was a time when civil society groups should be more vibrant to ameliorate the crisis if governance, it must be now.
”They need to express their passion to make demands to improve the structure and functioning of the country and hold political leaders accountable, ” he said.
(PMNEWSNG)