The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has called on the National Assembly to fashion out constitutional responsibilities that are developmental for traditional rulers in Nigeria, saying they are closer to the people than government.
Speaking when he paid courtesy call on the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in Ilorin, Oba Ogunwusi also said he was ready to cooperate with the Emir in the interest of development of Nigeria, adding that his mission was based on spirit of love, unity and development.
Oba Ogunwusi, who said people first come to traditional rulers when problem arises, added that they should be honoured and accorded roles to encourage peaceful coexistence.
“For developments that are genuine and people-oriented, the National Assembly should evolve constitutional responsibilities that are development oriented for our traditional rulers so that everybody will have a taste of the government.
This will far more effective because our traditional rulers are closer to the people than the government”, he said.
He urged them to concentrate on issues that unite people than what could divide them.
“If we focus on matters that are common to us, with this in our subconscious nature, we will know that we are one and from one God”, he said.