UPDATE: Empower monarchs with more constitutional roles, Ooni urges Tinubu

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged the newly sworn-in President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to empower traditional rulers in the country with more constitutional roles in tackling issues of security management and conflict resolutions.

The Osun monarch made the call in a congratulatory message to Tinubu Monday, through his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare.

In his message, the Ooni expressed hope in Tinubu’s administration, noting that it will be characterised by transformational economic growth, adequate security, and progress.

He said: “We trust that your administration will be marked by good governance characterized by transformational economic growth, adequate security, and progress for all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.”

Speaking further, the monarch tasked the President to tap into his wealth of experience in moving the nation forward.

“We also trust that you will leverage your wealth of experience as a man of progressive action in mobilising resources and managing diverse interests to unify Nigeria across political, ethnic and religious lines”, he noted.

In the area of security management and conflict resolution, Oba Ogunwusi advised Tinubu to empower traditional rulers with more constitutional roles.

He said, “The traditional rulers in this country are the closest to the people as there is nobody in Nigeria who is not a subject of a particular traditional ruler.

“This is why it is important for the government to empower us with more strategic constitutional roles, especially in the area of security management and conflict resolutions,” Ooni said.