Oba Rafiu Salami of Ibeju-land in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government area of Lagos State has advised Nigerians to accord respect to cultural inheritance on the social media.

Salami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that Nigerians no longer respect African culture and norms as it were in the past.

He condemned the current trend whereby information about traditional were released to the public by every tom, dick and harry saying it was an abuse of laid down rules.

“Once anything happens to a traditional leader, people don’t wait for the necessary consultation to be done by the relevant constituted authorities before the announcement.

“Such information will go viral on the social media which is not good and an abuse of our cultural values.

“This is a taboo, an abuse and a desecration of our cultural inheritance and values, Nigerians need to respect the traditions of their forefathers, “ Salami said.

According to him, religion and western civilization have eroded our culture but some states and ethnic groups still appreciate and value their cultural values and inheritance.

“Therefore, such culture needs to be preserved, sustained and respected,’’ he said.

Salami, however, appealed to the Lagos State Government to assist his community with necessary infrastructure to improve their lives.

He said that the community needed basic facilities such as: good roads, medical centres, additional schools, mobile toilets and drainage system to improve their livelihood.

“We have some of the facilities but needed more so that they will be sufficient for the ever-increasing population as more people are relocating to the area, “ he said.

The monarch said that the community was blessed with huge tourism potential that could be used to create common wealth in the state.

He listed them to include: the beach, the three sacred trees, fishing, vegetation, land for farming as well as aquatic and agro-tourism.

According to him, the trees are sanctified trees which need to be projected to the outside world because of the many benefits that can be derived from it.

“If a woman is barren and touches one of the trees with the permission of the royal father, such woman will be pregnant.

“The trees are also used to sue for peace in the community, “ he said.