The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakukehin has conferred ‘Agba Akin Bobajiro’ and ‘Yeye Agba Akin Bobajiro’ chieftaincy titles on a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DAKA Foundation, Dr. Kazeem Abidikugu and wife, Chief Mrs. Victoria Abidikugu.
Speaking after the conferment, Abidikugu thanked the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-council for counting him and wife worthy of the titles.
He demanded constitutional roles for traditional rulers across the nation.
He urged the National Assembly and Federal Government to give constitutional roles to traditional rulers to reduce insecurity to the barest minimal, saying traditional rulers are more closer to the people.
He stated that security is the backbone of any society, which is tied to its social, political, economic and cultural growth.
Abidikugu, a UK based Psychiatric Consultant, said there is the need for the government to involve traditional rulers in governance particularly on the security issue because they are closer to the people.
He called for constitutional amendment by the National Assembly to accommodate such roles for traditional rulers in governance, adding that security is germane to the peaceful coexistence of any community and national development.
The Agba-Akin Bobajiro said the government should make traditional rulers more responsible constitutionally to their domain, in order to reduce social vices to the barest minimal.
According to him: “Traditional rulers are closer to the people than even local government chairmen. It is very hard to see anyone who will not recognise their monarch but they may not even know their local government chairman.
“Therefore, for democracy to thrive, there is the need for the involvement of traditional rulers in governance constitutionally particularly in the area of security”.
The event was witnessed by former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Dr Hazeem Gbolarumi, Hon Oluwole Alawode, Chairman, Ibadan South East LGA and others.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
