The Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has called for the integration of traditional rulers into efforts by governments at different levels to develop the society.
Delivering lecture at the weekend entitled: “The role of traditional institutions in socio- economic development in Nigeria,” during the 70th birthday anniversary and 17th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Dr Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, the governor said traditional ruler’s contributions towards securing the society and ensuring peaceful trade relations are integral part of development in the state.
Governor Makinde who was installed as the Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom added that for the traditional institutions to be able to make contributions, they must be integrated into the existing structure of the nation-state.
He said the concept of homegrown democracy came from the recognition of the traditional institutions and the great roles they play in the socio-economic development of their respective societies.
The governor added that the Nigerian society must return to the drawing board to study how the traditional institution was able to contribute to the society and apply same principles towards achieving peace, security and economic prosperity for the current society.
“I am an advocate for strong traditional institutions. I believe that when traditional institutions are strong, they promote a value-driven society. And it is in the entrenching of these values that we achieve socio-economic development,” he said.
The governor added: “I will be highlighting three ways that traditional institutions contribute to socioeconomic development. These are: Contributing to security through community policing; maintaining peaceful trade relations and keying into the development architecture of the state.”
