JUST IN: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Reveals How Delta Deputy Governor, Otuaro Played Key Role In Restoration Of Peace In Niger Delta -

Coastal News

According to him, he and Delta State’s Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, worked together to resolve crises in riverine villages and restore peace in the state, noting that the royal fathers were at the forefront of the efforts.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged for traditional rulers to be given constitutional powers in the country, particularly in the field of security.

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, he paid separate visits to the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, and the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso, in their palaces in Warri and Uvwie, Delta State, respectively.

Prof Osinbajo, who was speaking at the palace of the Olu of Warri alongside Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro of Delta, said the time had come for traditional rulers to play a key role in addressing the nation’s security concerns.

According to him, he and Delta State’s Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, worked together to resolve crises in riverine villages and restore peace in the state, noting that the royal fathers were at the forefront of the efforts.
“About three or four years ago, I and the Deputy Governor of Delta State began working tirelessly to reduce the insecurity that we had previously experienced.

“We were able to achieve results simply because the traditional rulership took it upon themselves to be at the forefront of mediating the issue,” says the author. “I believe the time we are in also calls for that kind of intervention.” I sincerely request that you, your royal majesty, take this on as a serious job as well, because, as previously stated, our country is heavily reliant on oil production,” he begged.

The nation’s objective, according to Osinbajo, is to see that security concerns in Delta State are resolved in majority of the oil-producing communities.
“We know that, particularly in the area of security, very few administrations have faced the variety of security concerns that we have.”

“When you consider the magnitude and breadth of those security challenges, it’s clear that a leader like Muhammadu Buhari is required to address them,” he added. “However, the role of traditional rulership is critical, absolutely critical now.”

Osinbajo praised the monarch at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Realm for his contribution in maintaining peace in the kingdom.
He emphasized the importance of the National Assembly incorporating and allocating constitutional powers to traditional rulers because they were more in touch with the grassroots.
He hoped that, with the pace of politics picking up, the National Assembly would be able to complete its constitutional obligations.

According to him, the President also wants traditional rulers to have some constitutional functions, praising the Uvwie monarch for keeping the calm in his kingdom despite prior youth unrest.
The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom had expressed surprise earlier in his welcome address that, despite their presentations to the National Assembly, the Committee on Constitutional Review had paid no consideration to the necessity for traditional rulers to have a constitutional role.

He urged the executive to intervene and praised the federal government for continuing to support traditional institutions.
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, also responded in his palace earlier, praising the Federal Government for all its efforts in repositioning the country. He pledged the traditional institutions’ support for the government’s efforts to restore peace to the country.

“Thank you for the fantastic deeds you have been doing, supporting Mr. President and putting Nigeria first,” the royal father said, praising the Vice President for his supportive role to the President.
The Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, Otuaro, also spoke about the need for traditional rulers to have a constitutional role.
He promised that when his tenure ended in 2023, the state administration would leave positive legacies, and he praised the Olu of Warri for his fatherly support to the state administration.
The Vice President spent Thanksgiving in Delta State.