Chief Festus Awoniyi, a community leader in Omu-Aran, Kwara, on Monday called for specific roles for traditional rulers in the country in order to achieve the Vision 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A retired administrator and the Petu Atayero of Omu-Aran, Awoniyi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area.
He said the role of the traditional institution in bringing about the desired good governance, especially at the grassroots, could not be over-emphasised.
Traditional rulers, from history, were highly respected as the custodian of culture, tradition, and heritage of the people.
Most of our traditional rulers today are revered people in their various fields; they are well educated and well exposed, with vast knowledge in terms of administration and governance.
“The high infrastructure decay and other challenges the SDGs are set out to face, as they affect education, transportation, health, and climate change, are well pronounced at the grassroots.
“While the majority of the developmental projects being executed by states and the Federal Government nowadays are concentrated in urban centres, especially state capitals.
Awoniyi also stressed the need for government at all levels to exhibit a high sense of patriotism, political will, and commitment toward achieving set objectives.
He commented that the reason for Vision 2030 SDGs was the futility of the country’s past development efforts, mismanagement of resources and the failure in the socio-economic environment.
Abdulwahab Tajudeen reports
