Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, has urged the Oyo State government to engage the services of traditional institutions as a means to tackle the menace of insecurity.
The 2027 governorship hopeful declared that insecurity in the state and across the country can be effectively addressed by engaging traditional institutions.
Sanusi, who spoke in Ibadan, emphasised that re-engaging the traditional institutions would help tackle the rising insecurity.
“To address insecurity, I believe we must cultivate our traditional set-up, the way our society was originally structured,” declared Sanusi who is seeking to take over the reins of government from the incumbent, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.
Using Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as an example, Sanusi explained that the traditional layers of authority instituted by its forebears were effective in the past.
“In Ibadan, for instance, there is a specific way the city was designed. If the government can tap into that, it would be very beneficial. Other parts of the state also have social structures that can help combat insecurity.
“In Ibadan, the head of each family is called a mogaji and the head of each village is called a baale. So, if anything happens in the village, the baale works hand in hand with the mogaji, and they report to the ona, the Olubadan,” he added.
Sanusi highlighted that since families make up the city and society, the traditional institutions can be relied upon to build a formidable security system.
He added: “There should be accountability so that if anything happens within a family, the mogaji, as the head, is held responsible. Similarly, if anything happens in the village, the naale is held responsible.”
Sanusi expressed the belief that the current insecurity persists due to lack of accountability and the abandonment of traditional structures.
“But now, look at our institutions, there is no accountability,” the businessman and philanthropist concluded.
