By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, has emphasised the urgent need to strengthen family values as a ...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, has emphasised the urgent need to strengthen family values as a vital foundation for addressing Nigeria’s widespread insecurity, noting that traditional institutions play a central role in shaping societal norms and upholding moral values.
Speaking at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji, Kaduna State, during a three-week leadership training program tagged Haske Biyu, the monarch addressed senior military officers and personnel from various paramilitary agencies.
Sharing personal reflections, Ogiame Atuwatse III recalled the discipline he imbibed from his family—particularly from uncles who served in the Nigerian Air Force and Army. He said their examples instilled in him values such as integrity, punctuality, and boldness in adversity.
“Traditional rulers are custodians of values,” he said. “We influence our communities not just through words, but by how we live and the moral standards we uphold. We are the thermostats of society, setting the cultural and ethical temperature.”
He argued that in Nigeria’s collectivist society, the family is the first institution where character is formed, and its strength directly impacts societal behaviour and responses to security threats such as terrorism, banditry, and organised crime.
“Nigeria is battling serious insecurity, including terrorism, kidnappings, and armed criminality—often perpetrated by individuals who are products of weakened family and communal values,” he said.
Ogiame Atuwatse III also lamented the marginalisation of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s constitutional structure, despite expectations for them to play critical roles in community security, often without adequate recognition or support.
He stressed that traditional institutions have historically been the custodians of culture and the original storytellers, shaping identity and values long before modern governance structures. He said their relevance endures, even in an age dominated by digital influences.
The Olu of Warri also recounted his childhood experiences growing up near NNS Umalokun, a naval base in Warri. He admired the discipline of the armed forces and once considered blending his royal heritage with military service, a path he ultimately abandoned. He cited Proverbs 19:21 — “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” — as a verse that continues to guide him.
He concluded by urging traditional institutions to strike a balance between discipline and compassion.
“Not just the rod, but also the rice,” he said, invoking a metaphor for fairness and care in leadership. “We must be unbiased arbiters of justice—pillars of the moral fabric that binds our communities.”
In a stirring final message, he added, “The strength to fight comes from God. The victory also comes from God. Still, in this fight, we must also wield wisdom. Let us fight for it. Let us build it. And let us win—not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come.”
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