By Gabriel Dike
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 111 has expressed concern over the level of insecurity in the country and advised the Federal Government to involve traditional institutions in finding solution to the menace.
Ogiame, who was a guest on Lagos television current affairs programme, also described the high level of unemployment in the country as a time bomb waiting to explode.
The monarch, who put the unemployment rate in the country at 36 percent stressed that with young population, the youths have energy and time.
“If they are not using their energy and time in a productive direction, then you can be sure it is going to be in a counterproductive direction.’’
The Olu of Warri asked the Federal Government to carry the traditional institutions along in tackling insecurity in the country.
According to Ogiame, traditional rulers are put in place for the overall good of Nigeria and the masses. He explained that there was a time Nigeria’s Constitution recognised the roles of traditional rulers within their respective areas.
“I think a lot has to be considered with an open mind, we have a constitution as it is. A lot will argue that it is flawed and certain things were omitted, but that is fine.
“But those who put it together put it together with the best they had available to them. I believe constitutions should be living and breathing documents. With time, when it is glaring to all without a shadow of a doubt that changes need to be made, I think everybody should come together and say how can we make a change that improves on what previously existed.
“There was once a constitution that officially recognised our role as traditional rulers. I think it is gradually going back in that direction. It is being considered and I will encourage that.”
On unemployment Ogiame said: “I don’t even know if calling it a ticking time bomb is appropriate anymore because it is getting so close.”
He advised Nigerian leaders to guide the youths and noted that if steps are not taken to tackle the rising unemployment among youths, the rate could hit 40 percent.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler in Ondo State, Oba Pius Akande, has urged the Federal Government to give more roles to the traditional institution to enhance rapid development of communities across the country.
The Asin of Oka-Odo, Iwaro-Oka in Akoko South West Local Government Area, who spoke to newsmen in Oka-Odo, yesterday, during his second coronation anniversary, said the traditional institution needs more roles to ensure that the tide of insecurity in the country is stemmed, “because, as traditional rulers, we know our people and the strangers in respective our domains.”
The royal father, who appreciated Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu’s efforts in addressing security issues in the state, listed among others, the recent donation of 50 vehicles to security agencies.
He called for establishment of state police, even as he promised to revive many traditional things that had been abandoned in the past.