Pius Nsabe
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade 1, has observed that Nigeria’s ethnic, sectional and religious diversities ought to serve as source of national unity, cohesion and integration but unfortunately this has over the years constituted serious threat to peace, security and national development because the elite have always tended to manipulate these identities for their parochial interests.
The Paramount Ruler noted that settlement of inter-personal, inter-ethnic and communal disputes or conflicts is a critical area where traditional rulers could be very central in democratic consolidation and sustainability.
This, according to him,’’ is due to the fact that conflict is part and parcel of human coexistence but peaceful resolution of conflict is one of the hallmarks of democracy and development. If we adopt the traditional methods of conflict resolution as alternatives to the modern judiciary, it would go a long way in improving our current justice system which has not only been over-stretched but also grossly abused’’.
A release issued by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin , Bode Durojaiye, said Oba Owoade stated this when the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, High Chief Johnson Amatsenimlegbe, paid him a courtesy visit.
Alaafin pointed out that the position here is that the ruler at the centre of the traditional justice system could achieve rapid peaceful resolution of interpersonal and communal disputes which have become clog on the wheel of our progress and development.
“Traditional rulers have been doing this at the local level but this needs to be backed and strengthened by formal governmental authority and recognitions’’.
Oba Owoade pointed out that apart from the advisory role given to the traditional institutions in the current democratic dispensation, traditional rulers should be seen as the coordinator of general community development as he has natural capability to successfully act as adjudicator, mediator, intercessor and facilitator of community projects and programme.
‘’In other words, traditional rulers have been grossly under-utilized given the enormous potential inherent in their offices, positions and influence. Therefore, they should be accorded pride of place in our development strategies so that we can fully tap their enormous natural potentials and powers’’.
Earlier, the IItyasere of Warri Kingdom said his visit was to congratulate the Alaafin on his coronation , adding that in both Warri and Oyo there were different sub-ethnic and religious groups that co-existed peacefully and where ethnic and religious sentiments were subsumed under societal interests.
High Chief Amatsenimlegbe called on Nigerians to owe it a duty to work for all that promotes peace and harmonious living.