Traditional Institutions Critical to Grassroots Development — Gov Aiyedatiwa

…Workshop to Strengthen Traditional Rulers’ Capacity for Grassroots Governance — Takuro

…Police Pledge Stronger Partnership with Traditional Institution on Security

Ondo State Govenor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has described traditional institutions as critical partners in grassroots governance and development.

The Govenor made the assertion at the maiden three-day capacity-building workshop for traditional rulers in Ondo State, organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Speaking at the workshop, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was a deliberate response to the evolving social, security and economic realities confronting communities across the state.

The governor said the theme of the workshop, “Repositioning the Traditional Institution for Harmonious Communal Relationship, Security, Cultural Preservation and Sustainable Development,” was in line with his administration’s vision for effective grassroots governance.

According to him, traditional rulers remain the closest authorities to the people, describing them as custodians of history and heritage, first-line conflict resolvers and moral authorities within their communities.

He said, “No policy, no matter how well-crafted, can achieve meaningful or lasting success at the grassroots level without the active buy-in, counsel and leadership of our Obas.”

The governor urged the royal fathers to prioritise dialogue, mediation and diplomacy in resolving land disputes, chieftaincy crises and inter-community conflicts, stressing that peace remained a prerequisite for development.

On security, Aiyedatiwa said his administration would continue to strengthen the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, while collaborating with federal security agencies.

He, however, emphasised the importance of local intelligence in tackling insecurity, urging traditional rulers to use their networks to identify suspicious movements, report criminal elements and foster community policing partnerships.

“Security at its core is local. Our traditional rulers possess unmatched intelligence-gathering capacity through local networks, hunters and community associations,” he said.

The governor also called on the traditional rulers to take the lead in preserving Yoruba culture, language, traditions and moral values, particularly among the younger generation.

He urged them to promote indigenous industries, encourage education and discourage youth restiveness, while supporting initiatives in agriculture, healthcare, sanitation and other areas of community development.

Aiyedatiwa assured the traditional institution of his administration’s continued recognition and support, saying traditional rulers would remain involved in major policy formulation affecting local administration.

He said the partnership between government and the traditional institution was “not one of convenience, but an indispensable alliance for progress.”

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the workshop was conceived by Governor Aiyedatiwa to reposition the traditional institution and strengthen the capacity of traditional rulers to address contemporary challenges at the grassroots.

Takuro said the three-day programme would equip traditional rulers with practical tools in dispute resolution, security intelligence, grassroots development, land administration and cultural preservation.

He urged the royal fathers to actively participate in the sessions and maximise the opportunity, noting that their roles remained crucial to maintaining peace, security and sustainable development across the state.

The Olowo of Owo and Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for initiating the workshop, describing it as a landmark initiative aimed at equipping traditional rulers to perform their responsibilities more effectively.

The monarch commended the governor for his support for the traditional institution, particularly the completion of the Obas’ House and the approval of five per cent of local government revenue for the upkeep of traditional institutions.

He said the interventions demonstrated the governor’s recognition of the traditional institution as a critical component of governance and grassroots development.

Similarly, the Kalasuwe of Apoi Land, Prof. Sunday Amuseghan, described the workshop as a historic gathering, noting that traditional rulers had not had such an opportunity to collectively exchange ideas on customs, traditions and community development in several years.

Amuseghan said the workshop would enable the Obas to compare traditional practices across the three senatorial districts and strengthen relationships among neighbouring communities.

He expressed optimism that the deliberations would promote peaceful coexistence, cultural preservation and collective development, particularly in the face of prevailing security challenges.

Also speaking, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for organising the workshop, describing it as the first seminar of its kind for traditional rulers since he ascended the throne 11 years ago.

The monarch stressed the importance of security and cultural preservation, noting that traditional rulers, as custodians of culture, had an important role to play in the security architecture of the state.

He also commended the governor for his investments in security and infrastructure, including the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps and renovation of Oja Oba Market in Akure.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagu, described the workshop as timely, given the strategic role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, resolving communal disputes and supporting security agencies.

Represented at the event, Ohagu described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in intelligence gathering, early conflict resolution, community mobilisation and crime prevention.

He assured that the Police Command would continue to strengthen its collaboration with the traditional institution through regular engagements, information sharing and community-oriented policing.

The three-day workshop featured sessions designed to expose traditional rulers to contemporary approaches to conflict management, legal frameworks, security cooperation and community administration.

In attendance were; The Secretary to the State Govenment, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr Olusegun Odusanya; Members of the State Executive Council; political appointees; Chairman, Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua; among other dignitaries.