Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, suggested incorporating monarchs into governance roles.
Olaopa made this disclosure on Thursday, during an event honouring the Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta, Oba Saka Matemilola,
This gathering, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Auditorium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, marked the second anniversary of Prof. Matemilola’s coronation.
Olaopa, who chaired the symposium celebrating the monarch, praised Oba Matemilola, noting his distinguished academic background and the sophisticated cultural leadership he provides.
He emphasized that the Olowu exemplifies a noteworthy trend in Nigeria.
“With the increasing number of urbane, educated, core professionals, accomplished elites, and cosmopolitan modern traditional rulers all around Nigeria, we have been witnessing a resurgence of radical rulership,” Olaopa stated.
He further articulated that this new wave of rulership moves beyond merely holding a ceremonial position, instead harnessing political and social capital to reconnect their communities to Nigeria’s democratic goals.
“An opportunity is therefore building up with this corps of expanding demographics of exemplary leadership like the Olowu who have offered to cumulate their efforts into bigger advocacy for enlarged influence in the governance space,” Olaopa added.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other dignitaries were also present to pay tribute to Oba Matemilola, underscoring the significance of his role in both the local community and the broader sociopolitical landscape of Nigeria.
