Customs and traditional values should form basis for the formulation of the Nation’s constitution.
This was part of the submissions of the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole at a lecture titled “Constitutional Roles of Traditional Rulers” in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Arinjale of Ise, Oba Adetunji Ajayi.
Oba Adewole said the importance of the traditional institution to a healthy society cannot be jettisoned as they were the custodians of rulership and cultural values.
He noted that traditional rulers had all it takes to contribute meaningfully to the society hence they should be more involved.
The monarch opined that the exclusion of chieftaincy affairs from the constitution had made the place of monarchs in policies formulation to be degraded.
Oba Adewole Advocated reconstitution of local governments to provide for the council of traditional rulers to serve as checks and balances which should be replicated at all levels.
While speaking the Arinjale of Ise Ekiti, Oba Adetunji Ajayi thanked the Owa Ajero of Ijero for a job well done with a call on government to give traditional institution the deserved respect.
In a remark, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi commended the lecturer for doing justice to the topic and tasked the Royal Fathers to setup a committee that would work on the paper and submit the report to the government for consideration.
On their part, the former Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo, Chairman Ise Development Association, Elder Tunji Falana and a Professor Emeritus, Lawrence Kolawole described the lecture as apt, detailed and with recommendations that if properly implemented would go a long way in bringing about a new society.
