Razaq Bamidele
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has stressed the importance of collaboration among traditional rulers to effectively address security challenges facing the nation.
In a statement by media aide to the Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, the First Class monarch made this known while receiving traditional rulers drawn from seven states in Yorubaland who came to pay him homage at his Popoyemoja Palace, in Ibadan, on Monday.
According to him, his several years of association with traditional institution have shown that monarchs are the closest people to the grassroots who know where the shoe pinches.
READ ALSO: Big Brother Naija 2019: Organisers announce N60m grand prize
The Olubadan, who did not specifically mention the nature of security challenges he was referring to, however, stated that if there were strange faces and strange movements in their territories, the first port of report was usually the palace.
He maintained that virtually all the holy books, especially the Holy Bible and Q’uran confirmed that kingship was not just a title but a responsibility.
Oba Adetunji, who spoke through the Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi, commended those Yoruba traditional rulers for their spirit of unity, diligence and sense of responsibility to “our various communities, praying that there would be no security challenges anywhere in the land.”
The traditional rulers who paid courtesy visit on Olubadan were drawn from Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.
Speaking earlier, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Asunmo, Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu, from Lagos State, noted that the monarchs had resolved to meet from time to time to share ideas and discuss issues of common interest, saying they were in Ibadan to do just that and for the need to give honour onto whom it is due by visiting Olubadan.