Integration Of Traditional Institution Into Governance Is Important For Greater Socio-economic Devt, Makinde says
By Adewale Owoade
The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that integration of traditional institution into governance is a must, for socio-economic development of the country.
Gov. Makinde stated this while delivering a lecture entitled “the role of traditional institutions in socio-economic development in Nigeria,” during the 70th birthday anniversary and 17th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Dr Adesimbo Kiladejo, CFR.
The event was held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre, Ondo, Ondo State.
Makinde noted that for the traditional institutions to be able to make these contributions, they must be integrated into the existing structure of the nation-state, adding that 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.
He said: “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.
“I will be highlighting three ways that traditional institutions contribute to socio-economic development. These are: Contributing to security through community policing; maintaining peaceful trade relations and keying into the development architecture of the State.
“Of course, this is only possible when the traditional system is integrated into the State structure.
“So, I am also making a case for this integration. If these systems work well, why do we need additional bureaucracy for a federal-operated local government architecture?
“Each State can now determine what local authorities they want to run and how they should run. I know this is not a very popular stand I am taking. We must discuss these reforms and chart a new course for our nation.
“And, of course, we can see the clear link between security and socio-economic development. We need a secure environment to carry out economic activities. Farmers cannot go to the farm; market activities cannot be held when there is chaos.
“In Oyo State, we say, if you see something, say something, and the authorities will do something. This works well in our rural communities, where we have seen a drop in crime rates in areas where farms have been abandoned for years. Even in the more recent attacks in the Oke-Ogun Zone, the traditional institutions played a key role in ensuring proper intelligence gathering.”
The governor equally expatiated on the role Obas play in socio-economic development by highlighting the key roles they play in peaceful trade relations among communities, noting that the State can learn to leverage the traditional rulers’ knowledge and coordination of market associations to widen the tax net and increase internally generated revenues.
The governor, who was later installed as the Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom at the Osemawe palace, congratulated Oba Kiladejo on his 70th birthday and 17th coronation anniversary, stating that Ondo Kingdom had witnessed unprecedented developments under his reign.
He expressed his commitment to the progress and development of Ondo Kingdom as one of its chiefs, noting that he has always been excited to associate with the people of Ondo State because his mother, Mrs Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde, hailed from Akure.
He later unveiled a compendium on Ondo history.
In his response, the Osemawe commended Governor Makinde for the insightful lecture, stating that his recommendations were apt and well-accepted.
The governor’s entourage included his wife, Engr (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu.
Others are; Chairmen of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and Oyo State Advisory Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, and members of the respective councils; members of the South-West PDP Executives led by the acting chairman, Chief Rahman Owokoniran; commissioners and other top government functionaries.
