By Giwa SHILE
A Monarch, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle has called on the Federal Government to expedite action toward giving traditional rulers constitutional roles to enhance their contributions to nation-building.
Olugbenle, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland in Ogun, made the call in Lagos on the sideline of a news conference organised by the monarch on Friday.
The news conference was held to unveil the 2018 edition of the 25th Oronna Ilaro Festival scheduled to hold between Nov. 10 and Nov. 18 in Ilaro.
According to him, with the huge responsibilities expected of traditional institutions, there is little the office can do without constitutional roles.
“The best way we can strategise is to be involved.
“There is little we can do with this office. There is little this office can do.
“That is why we have been asking the government to give us roles in the Nigerian Constitution,’’ Olugbenle said.
He said that the traditional institutions could collaborate with the government for the development of tourism, arts and culture for the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
The monarch said that most traditional institutions had plans and blueprints which could help bring the nation out of its numerous challenges but these could not be executed without the government.
According to him, efforts are being made by the stool to collaborate with Ogun Government to see how best historical, tourism and cultural attributes of Ilaro can be harnessed for the growth of the state.
Olugbenle said that there were rivers, beaches and other tourist attractions that could be turned around for the state’s economic growth in particular and the nation in general.
“We cannot do anything without the government. We can achieve more with the government,’’ he said.
He decried the inability of many Africans in Diaspora to trace their roots and origins after abolition of slave trade, saying that many sons and daughters of Ilaro were also in such condition.
According to the monarch, many of the people in Diaspora can also contribute immensely to the nation’s growth and development.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler said that the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Oronna Ilaro Festival would be filled with fanfare, to promote the socio-cultural heritage of the people with Gov. Ibikunle Amosun as the Special Guest of Honour.
Olugbenle said the festival remained a yearly unifying socio-cultural event of Ilaro people aimed at bringing back its sons and daughters and other people of African descent to trace their roots during the period.
“This festival is aimed at positioning Ilaro town as a rewarding tourist destination, to identify talents for further development and collaborate with Ogun Government in its efforts to develop tourism.
“The Oronna Ilaro festival, which has been celebrated formally since 1993 with Ogun Government’s participation, will now be rebranded.
“It has been taken to the next level as a national and international tourism event with potential to impact on the economy of Ilaro and Ogun State,’’ he said.
Olugbenle, who outlined the line-up of activities for the week-long event, said that the festival would commence with a Carnival/Road Show on Nov.10.
According to him, tributes to Oronna and other deities in Ilaro and Itolu, medical checkup and Egungun masquerade parade will hold on Nov. 12.
He said that on Nov. 13, the medical checkup would continue; flag-off of a 5km festival race; Igunnuko masquerade display; Football competition final (Secondary Schools); and traditional Efe Dance Ceremony.
The monarch said that a colourful Gelede Display would hold on Nov. 14, while Onigbaaje ceremony, football competition final (artisans) and talent hunt would hold on Nov. 15.
According to him, a visit to the less-privileged, celebration of four ruling houses forum, Jumaat thanksgiving service and 7th Sisi Ilaro Beauty Pageant will be on Nov. 16.
Olugbenle said the grand finale would hold on Nov. 17 with paying of homage to the Olu of Ilaro.
The monarch said that the celebration would be rounded off with an Interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Ilaro.
