The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the House of Representatives Committee on Traditional Institutions for advancing legislative efforts aimed at securing constitutional recognition for traditional rulers across Nigeria.
The revered monarch made the remarks while receiving members of the House Committee on Traditional Institutions at the Ile-Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, describing the ongoing constitutional initiative as a significant milestone in strengthening the role of traditional institutions within Nigeria’s governance framework.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Traditional Institutions, Hon. Abdulmumin Ari Mohammed, visited the palace on Thursday evening alongside other committee members. They were received by the Ooni in the company of prominent monarchs from the Osun State Council of Obas.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the visit was part of the committee’s ongoing consultations with traditional rulers across the country on proposed constitutional reforms affecting the institution.
Addressing the delegation, the Ooni described the engagement as a landmark step toward restoring the constitutional relevance and dignity of traditional institutions, noting that traditional rulers have consistently played vital roles in peacebuilding, grassroots governance, security, conflict resolution and cultural preservation despite lacking formal constitutional recognition.
He commended President Tinubu for supporting the legislative process, expressing optimism that the proposed constitutional amendment would strengthen governance by creating a formal role for traditional rulers in national development and policy implementation.
The monarch observed that traditional institutions have remained dependable partners to government agencies and security organisations in maintaining peace and fostering development at the grassroots, adding that the creation of a dedicated House Committee on Traditional Institutions marked a new chapter in efforts to reposition the institution.
The Ooni said the progress already recorded by the constitutional amendment bill reflects growing national recognition of the importance of traditional rulers in promoting unity, stability and sustainable development.
He further maintained that constitutional recognition would enable traditional rulers to make greater contributions in addressing insecurity, communal conflicts, youth engagement, cultural preservation and other pressing national challenges.
According to the Ooni, traditional rulers remain the closest institution to the people and possess first-hand knowledge of developments within their communities, making them indispensable partners in governance and effective grassroots intelligence gathering.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Traditional Institutions, Hon. Abdulmumin Ari Mohammed, said the delegation visited the Ooni to provide updates on the committee’s legislative activities and seek his royal support for the ongoing constitutional reform process.
He described traditional rulers as critical pillars of Nigeria’s unity, peace and stability, stressing that the committee was committed to strengthening the institution through key legislative initiatives.
The lawmaker outlined three major priorities currently being pursued by the committee. These include the establishment of a National Council for Traditional Institutions Day to celebrate Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the constitutional creation of a National Council for Traditional Institutions, and the formal integration of traditional rulers into governance processes at both the federal and state levels.
Hon. Mohammed noted that involving traditional rulers more directly in governance would improve access to credible grassroots information and strengthen policy implementation across the country.
He disclosed that the proposed constitutional amendment had successfully passed second reading in the House of Representatives and had been referred to the Committee on Traditional Institutions for further legislative consideration.
According to him, the next stage of the process will involve nationwide public hearings, during which traditional rulers, cultural stakeholders and representatives from across the federation will be invited to make submissions that will help shape the final constitutional provisions.
He expressed confidence that the consultations would produce an inclusive constitutional framework that reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity while strengthening the traditional institution for national development.