The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, has called for deeper collaboration between the palace and key institutions operating within the Iru Kingdom to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
 
The monarch made the appeal during a visit to the Naval Dockyard Limited and the Naval Doctrine Command respectively in Victoria Island, a tour he embarked upon to mark his fifth year anniversary on the throne.
 
Oba Lawal, during the visit, emphasised the importance of strengthening partnerships with both public agencies and private organisations, noting that many of them have already played vital roles in supporting the Kingdom’s growth over the years.

The monarch highlighted the socio-economic contributions of institutions, such as Terra Kulture, which he said had trained nearly 40,000 young people.

According to him, such partnerships demonstrate the value of consistent collaboration in empowering local communities.

“We understand the socio-economic importance of all the organisations in Iru, and we want to solidify our relationship with them. This visit is not just ceremonial; it’s a call to action for more targeted partnerships that can uplift our people,” the monarch added.

The monarch also commended the Navy for its role in securing the Iru Kingdom during the 2020 EndSARS protests, noting that the protection provided along Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku helped to preserve peace during a critical period. He, therefore, reiterated the palace’s readiness to support youth training and empowerment initiatives spearheaded by organisations in the Kingdom.
 
Meanwhile, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), Rear Admiral Usman Sheu Gombe, in his response, described Oniru’s visit as a welcome development aligned with the Navy’s mandate on civil-military cooperation.

He assured the monarch that the Command would explore areas of collaboration with the palace, particularly in youth training and empowerment, describing civilians as the “first defenders of the land.”

Gombe also raised security concerns, urging the Oniru to look into the rising number of unidentified youths loitering along the proposed coastal highway, describing the situation as a “time bomb waiting to explode.”