Eselu Urges Tinubu To Open Borders To Ease Economic Hardship As Obas’ Forum Honours Traditional Rulers

The Eselu of Eselu Kingdom, in Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged the federal government to open all borders in the country to ease the current economic hardship experienced by citizens.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new executive members of the Integrity Obas Forum, Oba Akinyemi emphasized that the move would help mitigate the growing hunger and poverty in Nigeria.

In addition to calling for open borders, Oba Akinyemi recommended the reintroduction of marketing and price control boards.

He argued that this step would regulate the rising prices of food commodities, providing much-needed relief to Nigerians facing economic struggles.

The traditional ruler stressed the importance of government policies that prioritize the welfare of the people and avoid exacerbating existing hardships.

Oba Akinyemi also called on the federal government to expedite the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.

He praised Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his efforts to engage labour leaders in discussions regarding the swift payment of the N70,000 minimum wage for state workers.

The traditional ruler commended Governor Abiodun for approving a three-day workweek for civil servants, a policy aimed at improving the welfare of state workers.

This move, according to Oba Akinyemi, reflects the governor’s concern for the well-being of his workforce.

Oba Akinyemi also charged the newly inaugurated executive of the Integrity Obas Forum to adopt transparency and accountability as their guiding principles.

He encouraged them to live up to the forum’s name, Integrity, by ensuring they carry out their responsibilities with honesty and openness.

One of the forum’s patrons, the Alawowo of Awowo, Oba Abdulgafar Tijani, also addressed the gathering, urging the new executive members to maintain unity, focus, and a spirit of transparency in their duties. Oba Tijani underscored the importance of accountability in leadership, while pledging his support by donating a plot of land for the construction of the forum’s secretariat.

In his acceptance speech, the new president of the Integrity Obas Forum, Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala, Onibudo Aiyetoro, outlined the forum’s goals, which include supporting its members and contributing to the welfare of society.

He highlighted past initiatives, such as donating books to schools and embarking on agricultural projects to complement government efforts in food sufficiency.

Oba Odutala revealed that the forum plans to engage lawyers to assist inmates with minor cases in correctional homes within their domains.

He further assured that construction of the forum’s secretariat on the land donated by the Alawowo of Awowo will commence in January 2025.

Several traditional rulers were honoured as patrons of the forum, including Oba Mufutau Adebayo Lawal, Onipe of Ipe, Kwara State, and Oba Najeemdeen Oladele Odugbemi, Olu of Lisa Kingdom, who serves as the Royal Patron of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ogun State and the South West.