The highly cerebral Omu Anioma made this assertion while recently speaking during the virtual conference of Centre for Values in Leadership titled “Continuity and Change in Nigeria: Traditional Rulers as Voice of the People”.
She suggested to the Federal Government to apportion more recognition to the traditional rulers being the leaders of various communities, clans and tribes in Nigeria, adding that they understand the peculiar nature of their people and how to subject them under their rules for proper governance.
She affirmed that if the government could accord these rulers the deserved respect and authority in the Nigerian Constitution, more than imaginable would be achieved with regards to peace, harmony and national cohesion of various peoples that make up Nigeria.
Omu Dunkwu in turn said, that traditional rulers must themselves start to take responsibility for what happens in their domains and territories, thereby calling on the Federal Government to give them greater responsibility backed by law and hold them responsible for such role when they fail to carry it out.
She opined that we live in a generation where some traditional rulers are compromising standards and so are too careful to speak the truth.
“It’s not in the place of traditional rulers to be afraid to speak the truth or cover evil. They call it diplomacy; but what are you being diplomatic about?
“When you have the crown on your head, you become a representative of God above men. Truth is the weapon of peace, unity and progress. So it’s not negotiable to speak the truth for the sake of order and proper leadership, as well as correct or discipline anybody no matter their status in the society.
“However, we have traditional rulers who would instead want to be nice with some big men or supposed prominent people either for political or business patronage. They don’t want to rock the boat, they just want to belong and be diplomatic with issues so far it doesn’t impede on their interest and connection.
“Again, traditional rulers must stop debasing royalty. These days you hardly can easily identify some royal fathers, because some of them had taken to wearing Jeans and T-shirts. Some even go to parties and are found where they are not supposed to be. We must be wary not to institutionalise bad precedents and degenerate to a level of equal status and free society with total breakdown of morals.
“With all due respect to our amiable royal fathers; the supersonic Obi of Onitsha, the highly respected Sultan of Sokoto, the prototype Traditional Ruler of the 22nd century being the Ooni of Ife and others in their class, they have continued to maintain institutional dignity while attracting values and Integrity to the traditional institution.
“Though it appears we are lost mainstream; but if the Government can build a synergy around the aforementioned traditional rulers towards a system of enduring peace and unity in Nigeria, we can be sure of impeccable results”, Omu Anioma affirmed.
The conference had in attendance other prominent royalties such as; HRM Agbogidi Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Adewusi, the Ooni of Ife, His Eminence, Emir Sa’Ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Regent of Ibulesoro, HRM Moyinoluwa Falowo and impeccably moderated by Prof. Pat Utomi, the convener.
