Yoruba monarchs have called on the region to strongly support the President Bola Tinubu-led administration
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was made known in a communique issued and signed by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, and eight traditional rulers at a one-day Yoruba Security Summit held at Ife Grand Resort, Ile-Ife, on Thursday.
The summit convened by the Ooni of Ife, was attended by Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun and traditional rulers across Yoruba land.
Traditional rulers in attendance included the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; Owa-Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole; and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.
Others were Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola; Olojudo of Ido-Faboro, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; Alayemore of Ido-Osun, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Akure of Ikire-Ile and among others.
The summit noted such support for the president would benefit the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large, and ensure development.
The monarchs decried what it called organised systematic attacks on traditional rulers and eminent sons and daughters of Yoruba land by suspected herders.
The summit resolved that the Yoruba race should take full control of their forests, homelands and farmlands, observing that the herdsmen attacks have been largely responsible for food scarcity in the South-West.
“That the Yoruba, especially the traditional rulers should make recourse to their natural resources including natural powers to combat banditry and kidnapping; that Yoruba Obas should not jettison traditional values.
“That government at all levels should recognize the roles of traditional rulers and factor them into the national security architecture.
“That the entire Obas in Yorubaland should work in unison to ward off the evils of banditry and kidnappings as each of the states could only succeed in chasing the marauders to another state.
“That any Oba who is disinterested in Yoruba culture and customs should abdicate his throne for anyone who is deeply versed and interested in Yoruba tradition,” the communique said.
It called for the strengthening of the Amotekun Corps in terms of motivation, finances, training and retraining of personnel and equipment.
The summit urged local, state and Federal Governments to employ the use of drones and other appropriate technology for the effective surveillance of forests and roads.
