JAJI (KADUNA) – Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, on Wednesday said the family remains the first and most powerful institution of moral formation.
The monarch stated this at the ongoing Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.
Atuwatse delivered a lecture titled “Strengthening Family Values for National Security: The Roles of Traditional Institutions.” The theme of this year’s exercise was “Family and National Security in Nigeria.”
He said trust must be central to the mission of traditional institutions, adding that traditional rulers, often through their chiefs, assign punishments not only to serve justice but also as a public deterrent.
“Shame and honour operate powerfully in collectivist cultures, and the public nature of discipline reinforces societal boundaries,” he said.
Atuwatse noted that in spite of their influence, traditional institutions remain sidelined in the Nigerian constitution.
According to him, traditional rulers are still held accountable for local security without constitutional backing or resources to effectively enforce it.
He observed that as militancy and terrorism rise, rulers are expected to gather intelligence, mediate conflicts, and help maintain peace.
“Yet, when crime strikes, security agencies often turn to them, not law enforcement for answers,” he said.
The Olu of Warri said this placed traditional rulers in a difficult position, stressing that while grassroots connections are valuable, over-reliance could lead to mistrust.
He warned that when traditional rulers or institutions are perceived as state informants, community trust is eroded, undermining the flow of information critical to security.
“Traditional rulers must remain unbiased arbiters of justice—not tools of the state, but trusted guides who hold the moral fabric of their communities together,” he said.
He emphasized that the real battle for Nigeria lies in safeguarding legacy and values. Quoting the Nigerian Army’s motto, “Victory Comes from God,” he said the war is not with bullets but with culture, fought daily in homes, schools, and communities.
Atuwatse said: “What we seek is strong family values and moral clarity will not come without resistance. War must be waged daily: in our minds, in parenting, in leadership, in the way we live our lives.
“The strength to fight comes from God, the victory also comes from God. Still, in this fight, we must wield wisdom. As the old saying goes, discretion is the better part of valour.”
He further stressed that preparing for the future, not merely preserving the past, will ensure the endurance of traditional institutions.
“The righteousness we enthrone, the justice we deliver, and the trust we build today are the seeds of a legacy that will stand tall tomorrow,” he said.
He urged all Nigerians to join in the fight to uphold values and strengthen families, noting that the courage to fight for legacy must come from everyone.
