Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the traditional institution remains important to the socioeconomic development of the country, pointing out that Obas should be integrated into all efforts by states to develop the society....CONTINUE READING
He stated this while delivering a lecture entitled “The Role of traditional institutions in Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria” during the 70th birthday anniversary and 17th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Dr Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, CFR, held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre, Ondo, Ondo State.
Governor Makinde maintained that the traditional rulers contribute towards securing the society and ensuring peaceful trade relations and are an integral part of development in the state.
He noted, however, that for the traditional institutions to be able to make these contributions, they must be integrated into the existing structure of the nation-state, adding that the concept of homegrown democracy came from the recognition of the traditional institutions
According to the governor, the Nigerian society must return to the drawing board to study how the traditional institution was able to contribute to the society and apply the same principles towards achieving peace, security and economic prosperity for the current society.
The governor, who was later installed as the Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom at the Osemawe palace, congratulated Oba Kiladejo on his 70th birthday and 17th coronation anniversary, stating that Ondo Kingdom had witnessed unprecedented developments under his reign.
He said: “I am an advocate for strong traditional institutions. I believe that when traditional institutions are strong, they promote a value-driven society. And it is in the entrenching of these values that we achieve socioeconomic development.”
He added, “I will be highlighting three ways that traditional institutions contribute to socioeconomic development. These are: Contributing to security through community policing; maintaining peaceful trade relations and keying into the development architecture of the State.
“Of course, this is only possible when the traditional system is integrated into the State structure.
“So, I am also making a case for this integration. If these systems work well, why do we need additional bureaucracy for a federal-operated local government architecture? Each State can now determine what local authorities they want to run and how they should run. I know this is not a very popular stand I am taking. We must discuss these reforms and chart a new course for our nation.”
The governor equally expatiated on the role Obas play in socioeconomic development by highlighting the key roles they play in peaceful trade relations among communities, noting that the State can learn to leverage the traditional rulers’ knowledge and coordination of market associations to widen the tax net and increase internally generated revenues.
In a remark, the Osemawe commended Governor Makinde for the insightful lecture, stating that his recommendations were apt and well-accepted.
The governor’s entourage included his wife, Engr (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu; chairmen of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and Oyo State Advisory Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN.
