Lagos charges traditional rulers to fight insecurity at grassroots

Oba Semiu

The Lagos State Government has charged traditional rulers in the state to complement government’s effort by championing the fight against insecurity in their communities.

Acting Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Adebimpe Akinsola said this at the weekend at a news conference heralding the coronation ceremony of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiu Kasali.

She said while traditional rulers had been assisting the government in the war against insecurity and kidnapping, the obas could do more by being proactive in mobilizing the people at the grassroots to be extremely vigilant and report suspicious cases to the police for prompt action.

“The grassroots people should also try more in exposing criminal cases to the police for prompt action.

“These people live with us, they are not ghosts; we should know the happenings in our surrounding. We should report such suspicious cases to the police. People should take ownership of their environment and let it be secured,” she said.

Akinsola, who is also the Chairman, Coronation Planning Committee of the new oba, charged residents to shun all forms of violence during the coronation ceremony scheduled for November 26, 2016 at the Igbogbo Township Sports Stadium.

She appealed to residents to be law-abiding and pray for the successful reign of the new monarch to usher in peace in the area.

Vice Chairman, Coronation Planning Committee, Chief Amusa Olawale said the Central Working Committee had mobilized the police, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Rapid Response Squad, RSS, and others to provide security during the coronation service.

The Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya said that three of the aggrieved candidates who contested the throne with the new oba had been appeased and that they had promised to maintain peace and work with the new oba to bring development to Igbogbo land.

He said a committee was set up to that effect and that the committee helped to broker truce among the aggrieved candidates and the king.

The new oba, Kasali said everything was now ready for his successful coronation on Saturday and that residents who would attend the event would never regret doing so.

Activities lined up for the coronation of Oba Kasali include inter-denomination service to be held today (Monday), Childrens Day/symposium, Igbogbo performing artists, peace walk, cultural day, Muslim thanksgiving service, grand finale, among others.