Kwara monarch urges traditional rulers to protect territories

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, in Irepodun Local Council of Kwara State, Oba AbdulRaheem Oladele Adeoti, has urged traditional rulers across Nigeria to rise up to the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Adeoti, a first-class monarch, said  despite the seeming non-recognition of the traditional rulers as major security stakeholders in the nation’s constitution, it behoved on all his colleagues to take the bull by the horns in their territories, while flushing out all known criminal elements in them.

He spoke at the weekend in Omu-Aran, during the 14th matriculation ceremony for the 2023/2024 academic session for undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes, of Landmark University, Omu-Aran.

According to the Olomu, in his goodwill message at the event, “at present, we can’t say that all is well with Nigeria in the areas of economy and security. The one that primarily concerns us is the security of Omu-Aran. We should not fold our hands and leave security issues to the security personnel alone. We need to contribute our quota under this present dangerous time.

“I want to assure the management and students of this great university, presently ranked as one of the best in Africa by ‘Webometric’ of their adequate safety in Omu-Aran. The security arrangements put in place in this town, cover them all as well. We can’t afford to abandon the Landmark, it is the Jerusalem of our town.”

Earlier, the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents of the Ivory tower, Dr. David Oyedepo, urged the students to distinguish themselves in their various disciplines, through  the breaking of new grounds.

Oyedepo, who is also the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, added: “Success is not transferable. One could be a son or a daughter of a professor and never makes it through high school. Besides, a family property can be inherited but success is not transferable.

“There’s nothing extraordinary in life, the extra effort of a man makes him outstanding. There is no one sitting down doing nothing who can be someone of note in life. There is no profit or benefit in doing nothing. Therefore get a direction for yourselves, be diligent and be  disciplined.”

In her address of welcome, the Pro-Chancellor, Pastor (Mrs) Faith Oyedepo urged the students to set a very high standard for themselves academically and spiritually. Quoting from the words of the late South African Freedom Fighter, Nelson Mandela, she added, be well educated because”education is the most powerful weapon with which we can change the world.”

The Vice Chancellor of the instruction, Professor Kolawole Ajanaku noted, “the faculty and staff at Landmark are dedicated to providing you with a nurturing environment conducive to intellectual exploration and academic achievement.”