‘We’re The Grassroots Government’ — Oba Adeniyi Of Odogbawojo Seeks Greater Authority For Monarchs

By Solomon Babawale

Eko Hot Blog reports that HRM Oba Maruffdeen Adelani Oluwafunmilade Adeniyi, Oke 1, the Adegbajo of Odogbawojo, Epe, Lagos State, has called for more authority for monarchs, saying they are the governments of the grassroots.

The king made the appeal ahead of his first coronation anniversary on Saturday at R.C.M Primary School, Mojoda, Odogbawojo, Eredo, Lagos State.

In an interview with reporters, Oba Adeniyi urged state governments to give more power to traditional rulers to aid them in the proper discharge of their duties.

The monarch, who spoke about tackling the scourge of cultism in his kingdom, urged the Lagos State Government to lead in giving constitutional roles to traditional rulers.

He noted that the best way for government to secure communities is to engage traditional institutions.

“I have a very big message for the Lagos State government; we want to ask for more. This one I want to ask is not about selfish interest; it is not peculiar to me; it is peculiar to all the obas, not only in Yoruba land but in Nigeria,” Oba Adeniyi said.

“We need to be given a place in the constitution. We have a lot of responsibility but little authority. We are begging the Lagos State government to take the lead, as we have always been taking the lead in many perspectives.

“You should also take the lead in this one. Let the traditional rulers have a place in the constitution. Let there be a law that will strengthen the traditional institution.

“We are the closest to the people by the nature of our responsibility. We are supposed to be on the ground with the people, and we are there round the clock. We are not like politicians who will go after their tenure, and they won’t be seen again, but the traditional rulers stay with the people.

“We know the people, and we know the problem of our people, but we have limited resources as well as authorities to overcome those challenges. This has not been easy. The only way the government can secure the society better is to engage the traditional rulers. That is what they call community policing.”

Meanwhile, festivities for Oba Adeniyi’s first coronation anniversary kicked off on Thursday with a medical outreach, quiz competition, and games.

Games such as chess and ayo were played by Odogbawojo indigenes as they looked forward to the main celebration on Monday.

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