By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s traditional rulers to play a more active role in promoting security and fostering unity within their communities, highlighting their influence as vital to grassroots peacebuilding.
The President delivered this message on Thursday in Lagos during the launch of the autobiography of His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Samuel Oluyemisi Olu Falae, describing the event as more than a ceremonial book launch but a reflection on leadership, service, and national values.
Speaking through his Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, Tinubu urged monarchs to leverage their authority to encourage peaceful coexistence, strengthen social cohesion, and discourage violence. “Peace and security are not solely the responsibility of government; they are collective duties,” he noted.
The President praised Oba Falae’s unique blend of technocratic discipline and traditional authority, citing his stewardship as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Finance Minister, and current Olu-Abo of Ilu-Abo in Ondo State. He also commended Falae’s leadership within Afenifere as chairman of the National Executive Committee since 2025, highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s economic framework and cultural heritage.
Tinubu emphasised that traditional institutions remain indispensable to governance, particularly amid heightened security challenges and social fragmentation. “Your palaces must remain centres of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and moral guidance,” he said, assuring continued collaboration between his administration and traditional institutions to strengthen security, social harmony, and grassroots development.
The President also noted the symbolic significance of Falae’s autobiography, describing it as a personal chronicle and a mirror of Nigeria’s journey through trials and resilience, offering lessons on perseverance, patriotism, and integrity for younger generations. He congratulated the monarch on the publication and expressed hope that his legacy would inspire future leaders.
