The Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Engr Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has said that insecurity in Oyo State and across the country can easily be addressed when governments engaged the traditional institutions.
Sanusi, who spoke in Ibadan, added that by reengaging the traditional systems, the spate of insecurity will be addressed.
He said: “To address insecurity, I think we have to cultivate our traditional set-up, the way our society was set up.”
He used the example of Ibadan in Oyo State as an example, adding that the traditional layers of authority instituted by our forebears helped in the past.
“In Ibadan, for instance, there is a way Ibadan was designed. And if the government can key into that, it will be very good. Other parts of the state also have a social structure that can help combat insecurity. In Ibadan, for instance, each head of the family is called Mogaji, and each head of the village is called Baale.
“So if anything happens in the village, the Baale works hand in hand with the Mogaji, and they reach out to the King, the Olubadan.”
He added that since the family altogether is what makes up the city and the society, the network can be relied upon to build a formidable security system.
He added: “Then there should be accountability so that anything that happens in the family, the Mogaji, who is the head, will be held responsible. If anything happens in the village, the Baale will be held responsible.”
He said that insecurity appears to be festering because of a lack of accountability and the setting aside of the traditional set up. But now, look at our institutions, there is no accountability,” he said.
