Olowu of Owu Kuta Identifies LG Autonomy As Solution To Insecurity

Lack of Local Government Autonomy, inadequate funding and unpatriotic citizens have been identified as the major factors fuelling insecurity in Nigeria.

This was identified by the Olowu of Owu Kuta kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba, Dr. Adekunle Makama Oyelude, while featuring on a breakfast programme of the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The first class monarch however, called on the Federal Government to grant the 774 local government areas in the country autonomous power to tackle security related issues because of their closeness to the public.

Oba Makama hinted that the five percent of LGs allocation to traditional institutions since the era of the late General Sanni Abacha should have been reviewed upward so as to allow the traditional institutions perform their roles effectively.

The monarch added that the collaboration between the traditional institutions and the local governments is capable of reducing crimes of various gravity because of their closeness to the people and individual households at the grassroots level.

While speaking about the EndSARS protest, the monarch expressed his displeasure with the way the FG is handling the matter, which according to him became necessary because of the brutality meted on the youths of the South.

Oba Makama then called on the Federal Government to tap from the country’s tourism sites as another way of boosting the commerce of Nigeria

He cited places such as the Obudu cattle ranch, the suspended lake at Ado Awaye and the Mambila Plateau where snow flows.

He called on journalists to disregard any monarch, who places religion above the traditional institutions he pledged to defend.

While speaking about the incaseration of Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Igboho, Oba Adekunle hinted that the the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi is working on the issue which according to him will materialise positively soon.

He however called on Nigerians to change their attitude positively towards the growth of the country.

By Kunle Bakare