Alhaji Mohammed made this known in his opening address at the opening session of a two-day national conference on peace and national security, organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in collaboration with the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), held at Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi hall, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The Minister who was represented by the Deputy Director, External Cultural Relations, Federal Ministry o Information and Culture, Mr Richard Makam said “President Muhammadu Buhari has measures in place to ensure that threats to peace and security are promptly dealt with. Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, restiveness in the Niger Delta, incidences of kidnapping and armed robbery, and recent conflicts between herdsmen and host communities are some of these threats to peace.
“He has reiterated that entrenching national security is a top priority of his administration. This is because the socio-economic initiatives of his government cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security.”
Participants at the two-day events include traditional rulers from Oyo, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe and Ondo states.
The governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi called on the traditional rulers to help promote Nigerian rich cultural heritage.
Ajimobi, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr Gbade Ojo, said “it is an open secret that Nigeria is no doubt at a point of dilemma vis-a-vis national security while security apparatus including the personnel are commended for their untiring efforts. It is however imperative that our royal fathers should be sensitised and effectively mobilised for them to be able to complement the efforts of the government.”
He added further, “in pre-colonial Africa, our communities enjoyed relative peace. This is because traditional leaders then were not only the custodian of our culture but security values. The process of cultural socialisation is weakened now. We need to wake up and play our role as leaders so that our children and generations yet unborn know what our societal norms and values are.
“In the past, criminals were exposed and ostracised from the community, but in our contemporary societies we unduly accommodate, shield and celebrate criminals. Not only that, in terms of alternative conflict resolution, traditional rulers were very effective in the past. Today, much of litigations in court end up with rancour and bad blood.”
He also advised that House of Assemblies in each state could “devote one or two days in a week to the adoption of their local languages in the conduct of the business of the house. Not only that, our mode of dressing too should be promoted.”
In his address, the acting executive secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr Louis Eriomala charged the National Assembly to “carve a role for Nigerian traditional rulers in the constitution.”
He added that “a constitutional role for traditional rulers is imperative. A bottom-up grassroots mobilisation approach steered by our highly esteemed monarchs will greatly complement the efforts of our security agencies.
The former vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, and chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, CON, said “peace is of the essence in every situation. It is important for a peaceful family and int he society. It is important to invest heavily in peace. An environment conducive to peace must be created. Each must work assiduously to achieve peace.”
In her address, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu charged the traditional rulers on the promotion of social culture in the society as the viability of their community.
The technical session of the two-day national conference began after the opening ceremony three presentations.
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