Benin monarch seeks Buhari’s intervention in Edo

OBA of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the problems of the Edo state as they are too much for the state government to bear.

Speaking at a meeting with the president at the presidential villa, Abuja on Thursday, he commended the president over the way he has handled security issues in the country.

He said: “Mr President, what you are yet to do for us includes the areas of more infrastructural development, security, human trafficking and to complete Benin-Auchi road dualization.

“Human trafficking incidents are not reducing. What NGOs are doing is merely palliative and at best scratching the surface. Some NGOs may even be in business for themselves.

“Federal government needs to assist Edo state to develop low to medium scale cluster industries or establish factories in each local government areas to reduce unemployment and prevent urban to rural migration in order to decongest the centre for a very holistic development in Edo state.”

On the security, the monarch noted that the problem is multi-dimensional in the state and particularly pointed out the unwholesome activities of so called community development associations.

He said the state needs the assistance of the president to tackle the issues.

The Oba further told the president: “In Edo state, security issues seemed to be multidimensional. In addition to the prevailing criminal activities of cultist killings, kidnappings etc, the activities of the so-called community development associations are crippling the economy of our state even much more.

“The Benin traditional authority has been relentlessly tackling the menace of community development associations that earned for themselves the disreputable name of community destructive associations.

“These networks of groups attack and are systematically destroying the normative and value system of our society and heritage. Their evil practices scare investors away.

“Our governor and the people of Edo state need more support from the federal government to effectively and decisively tackle the security challenges in our state.

“May I use this opportunity to appeal to your Excellency to kindly assist out state governor in dealing with the security challenges in the state.”

He regretted that the role of traditional rulers has not been recognized in the constitution despite their usefulness in stabilizing the country.

The royal father stated: “Finally, traditional rulers in the country play stabilizing and developmental roles in the country particularly when there is crisis brewing at the grassroots.

“It is sad that the role of traditional rulers is yet to be reflected in the constitution of the country. Nigeria is country strongly rooted in cultural blues and norms.”

He reassured that the traditional institution will continue to make itself available for use to strengthen the unity and development of Nigeria.

“The traditional institution will encourage Nigerians to go on with one Nigeria. We intend to continue to use culture to foster Nigeria image both in Nigeria and in the comity of nations,” he declared.