The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu's proposed forest guard security structure during a courtesy visit to the President in Lagos on Sunday.
Speaking with journalists after their closed-door meeting, the foremost Yoruba monarch revealed that his visit served dual purposes: to extend Sallah greetings to the President and to provide feedback from his recent diplomatic trip to Kazakhstan.
"I'm here to greet Mr. President for the Sallah break and also to appreciate all the great things he's doing for our dear country," the Ooni stated. "I went to a country called Kazakhstan and came back with feedback. The good things he's doing are opening Nigeria up to so many nations that now want to work with us."
Improving Nigeria's Global Standing
Oba Ogunwusi highlighted how Nigeria's international reputation is strengthening under Tinubu's leadership, particularly regarding foreign investment opportunities and macroeconomic policy stability.
"In history, there is no arbitrage again. You bring dollars to Nigeria to do business, and you take it out, no dual exchange between the central bank and the parallel market. The world is watching us as a nation, and we don't need to leave everything to the government," he emphasized.
The monarch also stressed the evolving and increasingly significant role traditional rulers must play in nation-building efforts.
"We traditional rulers should lead by example, work in tandem with the government, and give hope to our youth. This is another testimony of hope for Nigerian youth," he said.
Forest Guard Initiative: A Critical Security Step
On security matters, the Ooni expressed optimism about the Tinubu administration's efforts, specifically praising the proposed restructuring of the Forest Guard system as a vital step toward achieving lasting peace and building investor confidence.
We're very happy with the Forest Guard structure and the new platform to bring in more police force to continue to comb the entire forest, both in the north and in the south. Once security is addressed, there will be a solid platform for investment to flow into Nigeria.
The traditional ruler reaffirmed his support for Tinubu's leadership, describing him as "a bold president committed to a better Nigeria." He urged all Nigerians to adopt a more optimistic outlook: "It's about time for all of us in Nigeria to come together and look at Nigeria as a cup half full, not half empty."
The Ooni's endorsement comes at a critical time when the country continues to grapple with security challenges across various regions, with forest areas often serving as hideouts for criminal elements.
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