The Oloja of Igbobi-Omoboye in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State, Oba Felix Abiodun Ayenuro, has urged government, at all levels, to give traditional rulers more constitutional roles to play in the nation.

Oba Ayenuro said this at the 110th yearly Nigerian Baptist Convention in Lagos, with the theme: “Entering into newness through love and unity,” stressing that it would help to galvanise speedy development and growth.

He lamented that the traditional institution has been rendered insignificant by the machinery of government, identifying it as one of the factors causing underdevelopment and insecurities in the communities.

He mentioned that the advent of modern civilisation should not be allowed to erode African traditional system, while advocating that the latter should be institutionalised and offered same leverage to grow at par with the former.

He said there would be rapid development, if government would concede more powers to the traditional rulers.

He added that it would go a long way to complement the efforts of government.

The Oloja, however, mentioned that the traditional rulers would not relent being the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition, putting more efforts to support government policies for the people.

Speaking on the theme of the event, he urged Christians and Nigerians to live peaceably with one another, reminding them that Christianity symbolises love and unity.