The Council of Obas under the chairmanship of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Osuolale Akiolu, have unanimously commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for ensuring safety and security in Lagos State.
This commendation came at the just concluded 2-day retreat for Obas, organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, with the theme, "The Role of Traditional Rulers in Conflict Resolution and fostering Communal Peace and Economic Development".
They thanked Sanwo-Olu for acceding to organise the retreat, which once again validates his resolve, love, and tenacity in reflecting the importance of the roles of traditional rulers. This sterling leadership quality, according to them, as shown Mr Governors commitment to ensuring that peace and economic development is reflected in every sector and fibre of the States economy.
However, they urged Mr Governor to do more, especially during this period of challenges and unprovoked aggression among many people. Similarly, the monarchs pledged continued support to the government in their various domains, even as they endorse Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2023 presidential election.
The endorsement according to the monarchs, was as a result of the track record of Tinubu, particularly while serving as the governor of the state. This is evident in the turning around of the Lagos economy which layed foundation for the state to become the fastest-growing megacity within Africa.
In a voice vote, the traditional rulers assured APC national leader that whenever he is ready to declare his intention publicly, they are willing to give him their full support and ensure that he achieves his goal.
The deliberation for endorsement was reached during the Obas General meeting which was moderated by Olosolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, who also doubles as the secretary for the council of monarchs.
After Oba Agbabiaka raised the deliberation, the entire monarchs used their symbol of offices (Horse-whip) and with a voice vote chorused their readiness and support, as they expect him to vie for the seat.
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Speaking on behalf of the Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, commended the State Government for prioritizing the intellectual empowerment of traditional rulers in Lagos State. He noted that the retreat would boost the monarchs’ knowledge and implored other monarchs to continue to commit themselves to Lagos State development.
According to him, "I want to implore you all that you should play your roles in ensuring that communal peace exist in our domains, which engender economic development."
Earlier, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, charged traditional rulers in the state on conflict resolution, fostering communal peace and economic development in their domains.
"Traditional rulers in Lagos had continued to be development catalysts, and respected agents for mobilisation for policy implementation, monitoring, and review of policy options," he said.
The Commissioner said traditional rulers had a special responsibility to uphold not just traditional values, culture, and customs, but to also ensure that information dissemination flowed to all nooks and crannies and that residents in each community understood government policies and programmes in the simplest form, using preferably the indigenous languages.
In addition, the Commissioner noted that the retreat would offer the opportunity for purposeful engagement on salient issues and more, and how they could leverage existing peace and stability in the State, to connect higher economic prosperity.
Thanking them for their efforts so far in assisting government in their domains, Ahmed urged the traditional rulers to continue to cooperate with the government, and to support her effort at moving the State to the next level, in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus promise to the people of the State and for, "A Greater Lagos Dream".