Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has bemoaned the
desecration of traditional institutions in Nigeria and the concomitant erosion
of value, saying the scourge has contributed immensely to the plethora of
challenges the nation is now grappling with.
He pointed out that traditional rulers have abandoned
their role as custodian of traditions and customs, the palladium of positive
and exemplary societal values even as they have long ditched the training and
apprenticeship within their palace.
The former President disclosed these in one of his new
books, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’ unveiled last week.
, who lamented the proliferation of all kinds of kings
nowadays, said unworthy and questionable characters are now being installed as
traditional rulers.
He said, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts,
vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed
to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers. How do we account for a
traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and
running away with it?”
He stated that Nigeria must replace the uninspiring
and ignoble characters that now sit boastfully on traditional stools with men
of integrity, honour and dignity that occupied the position in days of yore.
“The class of traditional rulers with their
distinction, honour and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early
post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted.
“That dignity, aura and respect should be brought back
and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and
greatness and not a liability.
“There is a need for moral re-armament among the
traditional rulers – the ancient and historic ones. And they can and should
make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the
purpose and interest of all”.
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