ABEOKUTA– The Olota of Ota, in Ogun State, Oba Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege has called on traditional rulers and religious leaders in the country to partner with relevant security agencies in fighting insecurity in their domains.
Oba Obalanlege said this while delivering a lecture at the ongoing training for the newly engaged personnels of the Ogun State Security Network (Amotekun Corps) held at the NYSC training Camp, Sagamu, Ogun State.
Delivering a lecture titled ‘The Roles of Traditional and Religious Leaders in Security,’ the monarch said security is a shared responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders.
“Traditional rulers have historically been the custodians of peace, culture, and communal stability. Our deep-rooted connection to the grassroots places us in a unique position to contribute to security in several ways:
“Traditional rulers are deeply embedded in the social fabric of their communities. This proximity allows us to access vital intelligence on emerging threats and criminal activities. Sharing such information with security agencies ensures timely intervention.
“Conflicts often arise from misunderstandings or disputes. As mediators, traditional rulers play a pivotal role in resolving conflicts at the grassroots level, preventing them from escalating into violence.
“For example, in Otta, my palace has consistently intervened in land disputes, communal disagreements, and other issues, fostering peace and preventing potential security threats.
“Traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to rally community support and mobilize resources for security initiatives”, he added
In his address, the State Commander of Ogun State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (Rtd.), lauded the monarch for support to all security agencies in the state, emphasizing the need for leaders to continue to collaborate in combating insecurity.
Adedigba however assured of the readiness of the Corps to maintaining professionalism and operational excellence.
