By Bashir Adefaka

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has warned that efforts of government functionaries at all levels towards accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, would be nowhere near a success unless they designed statutory means for them to be actively involved in governance rather than dealing with the traditional rulers in accordance with the dictate of their whims and caprices.

He handed down the warning in his palace, while presenting cheques totalling N5 million to traditional rulers from Oyo and Oke-Ogun communities.

The paramount ruler said the gesture was in cognizance of the dwindling federation account allocations to the three-tiers of government, especially the local government which oversees the affairs of traditional rulers in the country.

The Iku Baba Yeye said it was also in appreciation and sustenance of the legacies of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, whose respect, love and generosity for traditional rulers remained unparalleled and should not be allowed to vanish.

According to him, “putting into consideration the vital roles of traditional rulers in nation-building and maintenance of peace and tranquillity, they deserve to be supported in order to make them happy and have sense of belonging. They have families and other responsibilities to cater for.

“During the lifetime of the late Aare Musulumi, he cared for the obas  and accorded them their status. After his painful death, no other person had thought it wise to follow suit. This necessitated my decision to provide succour for the Oyo and Oke-Ogun Obas,” he explained.