How to save Nigeria from disintegration, by Alaafin

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called for maximization of the benefits of diversity so as to save the country from the disintegration .
Fielding questions from journalists on Saturday in his palace to commemorate the country’s independence anniversary, Alaafin said as a people, we must judge our fellow Nigerians not by their ethnic origins but by the content of their characters.
He stated that as people, “we must be wary of those who are the greedy, selfish political class, and who has continued to exploit our differences to plunder our resources.
“This is the reason we must always see the good in ourselves. It is the reason we must ignore ethnic chauvinism and primordial sentiments among us. This is exactly what the NYSC scheme is all about, to contribute to national integration. Unfortunately, its laudable objectives have been reduced to the Nigerian factor.’’
The paramount ruler charged parents to always inculcate in their wards an enduring lesson in the inherent goodness of ordinary Nigerians.
“This will reflect true pictures of who we are as a people. Ordinary Nigerians are inherently good people, but the greedy political elite seem determined on driving a wedge in the cord that binds us together. Religious and ethnic hatred has bred conflicts leading to violence and bloodshed. Those who profess the faiths – Christianity and Islam — have been at war since the making of Nigeria. But as Nigerians, we must acknowledge the unique features of our country’s diversity and harness them for peaceful co-existence.
“We must stop using religion and ethnicity to divide the people for egoistic desires. This will not do us any good but further polarise us. Our diversity can be a source of strength. Our potential to be great is further enhanced if we resolve to see ourselves as one people rather than from ethnic and religious worldviews.’’
Alaafin also advised the present generation of youths not to lose grip on the link that ties them firmly with their tradition and custom.
He said a nation or tribe without custom is as good as a horde of gorillas ravaging the deep forests.
“It is true that modernisation bombarded our tradition, but like an ancient fortress built to withstand fierce military onslaughts, our living tradition and custom have remained a pivot which rests the dignity of the black man. If tradition is scrutinised under historical microscope, it will be seen quite clearly that modernisation is an offshoot of tradition and as the taproot that sustains modernisation. Hence, any attempt to destroy tradition is the surest way to ruin modernisation”.
Alaafin asserted that “the modernisation we have today came through the contact we had with the colonialists and missionaries”.
The monarch urged both the Federal and State Governments to begin to look at the possible ways of making traditional rulers more involved in the affairs of their governments, particularly at the local government level.