Oba Kole Ojutalayo, the Laroka of Waniki in Ile-Ife, Osun State told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that permanent peace in the country would depend on the role assigned to traditional rulers.
According to him, traditional rulers must be seen to be relevant in a way that government would consult them over certain issues.
“It is uniquely opportune that the national conference is going on.
“That all those who are sitting down should think backward and appreciate that certain roles must be carved out for traditional rulers in the new constitution.
“Not only that roles be carved out but they must also be seen to be relevant in such a manner that the government will revert to them on every issue.
“Then you can be sure that there will be peace in Nigeria. The permanent peace of Nigeria depends on the role the traditional rulers are made to play constitutionally.
The monarch noted that they had been relegated to the background unlike in the past when they were recognized during pre-colonial era.
“The traditional ruler can be a source of revenue generation to the coffers of government by ensuring that all his subjects do what is expected of them and pay their taxes.
“But in retrospect, government must also think about their needs. It is a two-way system. “If you neglect them in the farms, you really don’t give them pipe-borne water.
“You are not interested in their health or their welfare, it will be difficult for them to relate with the government’’.
Ojutalayo recalled that the traditional rulers were in the past pillars of support to the government, noting that before 1914 when the British came, traditional rulers were useful instruments in governance.
source: NAN
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