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Traditional rulers from across the South-West, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, are set to meet with Yoruba Nation activist and founder of the Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to deliberate on security and communal stability in the region.
The stakeholders’ meeting is scheduled to hold today, Friday, in Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, and will be hosted by the Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adewole.
According to a statement from Igboho’s media office, the meeting will bring together traditional rulers and other key stakeholders from Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and parts of Kwara State.
The meeting is expected to focus extensively on security challenges confronting Yorubaland and measures required to sustain the prevailing peace and communal stability across the South-West.
The statement said the meeting would be presided over by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who is also the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
A major focus of the meeting will be how traditional institutions can work more closely with government security agencies and community-based security initiatives, including the Iru Ekun Security Network, to improve security, particularly in rural communities.
According to the statement, the stakeholders will also examine ways of strengthening the involvement of traditional rulers in local security, considering their proximity to the people and their important roles in preventing crises and resolving disputes within communities.
“This stakeholders’ meeting will dwell extensively on the measures aimed at ensuring effective security of the South-West and synergy with local security initiative such as Iru Ekun Security Network in order to protect Yorubaland, most especially rural communities against any breach,” the statement said.
The meeting comes amid heightened discussions across the South-West on community security and the need for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions, government agencies and local security structures.
Igboho’s office also commended the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their support and cooperation with the Iru Ekun Security Network.
The group specifically acknowledged the efforts of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi; and heads of other paramilitary agencies.
The statement expressed confidence that continued cooperation among security stakeholders would help sustain peace and reduce criminal activities across the country.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for traditional rulers and community security stakeholders to discuss practical approaches to strengthening grassroots security and protecting vulnerable communities across the South-West.
