The Federal Government has started consultations with leading traditional rulers to improve security in local communities while rearranging the security architecture nationwide.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this on Saturday, declaring that
the Federal Government would collaborate with the states to maintain law and order across the country.
He kicked off the consultations with the royal fathers in the South West where he held separate meetings with the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, both in Ogun State, at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
His words: “As you know, there are many significant concerns all over the country; and of course there are concerns also in the South West.
“So, I’m here on the instruction of Mr President to consult with the Kayibesi, Governor Dapo Abiodun and other stakeholders on what to do to beef up security, and to generally improve the security architecture.
“One of the things that Mr President has spoken about is the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security in their own locality. As you know, they are the closest to the grassroots, to their communities.”
After meeting the Awujale, the VP said, “Of course, you know that the Kabiyesi is not just the traditional ruler, but also a very important part of the government. That’s why we are here to speak with him and to agree on a few modalities for beefing up security, ensuring that we are fully conscious of all that is going on around us, and just to be sure that peace and security reigns here and across the country.
The vice president, who fielded questions from newsmen after the meeting, said the meeting was on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I think for all of us, the most important thing to realise is that we are one Nigeria; we are one country; we need to work together to ensure that it is peaceful, secured and happy for all of us,’’ he said.
He noted that Nigeria has the potential to give its citizens all they desired.
Osinbajo, however, said that some people were working against the interest of the country by trying to cause instability.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome all her problems and set on the path of peace and prosperity.
The vice president, in company of Abiodun, then proceeded to Ijebu Ode, where he also held a private meeting with the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Speaking with newsmen after, Osinbajo said that Awujale is one of the most important voices in the Southwest.
He said they had discussed on the very important steps to take in order to improve the security architecture generally.
According to him, the monarch has given a lot of insight; his own views, on what needs to be done, how to go about it; and what has been done already.
“But very importantly, it is his commitment to ensuring that there is peace and security, and that everybody lives in peace with one another and maintains the highest level of security.
“We are consulting with many of the traditional rulers across the country, but there are concerns in the Southwest now.
“I will be in Osun on Tuesday; we are going to go round to see the Alake, the Ooni and other traditional rulers, and primarily, they themselves want to participate in improving the security architecture.
“The President has spoken about the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security in their own localities.
“As we know, they are the closest to the grassroots; the closest to their communities.
“One of the critical things we expect with our community policing efforts is some integration between the traditional rulers, the community and police; and efforts they are making to improve intelligence; and we need to understand what is going on.
“We need to know who is where and what exactly is happening all around so they can be transmitted to the more formal security agencies such as the police and the army, depending on where and what the situation is,” he said.
The vice president had earlier attended the installation of 90-year-old Chief Emmanuel Osibona as the Father of the Church, ‘Baba Ijo’, of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne, Ogun, his hometown.
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