Nigerian monarch redefines role of traditional institution in politics

Enthronement of good governance in Nigeria has received a boost with the monarch of Ijebuland, South West Nigeria, Sikiru Kayode Adetona, committing an initial N250 million for endowment of a professorial chair at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, on governance.

According to the monarch, the Awujale of Ijebuland, he wants to see Nigeria take giant strides in the area of good governance stemming from quality education, research, mentorship and community engagement.

“Education has a pivotal role to play in the quality of governance. So, I decided to lend my little support in this area, being a royal father. I make this move with high hopes that it will help the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, start a production-line of leaders who will be moulded for good governance,” Oba Adetona said, while speaking with some newsmen in his palace recently.

On his commitment to see to the success of the project, the oba, who has been on the throne for 56 years, said, “the chair will be a perpetual one. This is to assist Nigerian government find leaders that will run the country effectively.”

While thanking the Awujale for the kind gesture, Saburi Adejimi Adesanya, the vice chancellor of the university, expressed the view that the endowment was in sync with the institution’s philosophy of seeking to “give useful learning to its students who will be encouraged to cultivate a worldview that facilitates not only the continuous pursuit of academic and moral excellence but also developing competence in reducing the society’s disease.”