DON’T VILIFY OUR SOLDIERS, BURATAI CALLS FOR MORAL, POLITICAL, MATERIAL SUPPORT TO WIN THE WAR ON INSECURITY

Former Chief of Army Staff and immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd.), has called for a whole of society mobilisation to end insecurity, stressing that the challenge cannot be left for the military alone.

Buratai made the call on Friday while speaking as a guest on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television breakfast programme, where he reflected on the state of Nigeria’s security and the need for stronger political, social and economic interventions.

He explained that while the military continued to make sacrifices in defending the nation, the root causes of insecurity many of which were political and social needed to be addressed through a long-term national plan.

“Just before I left office, and immediately when I was appointed ambassador to Benin, I warned that this insurgency may last longer. It is not something you just wish away. It requires a deliberate, long-term plan,” he said.

The former army chief stressed that the military was only one aspect of the solution, but political leaders, institutions, and society at large must play their part in confronting terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

He drew parallels with the COVID-19 response, where the entire nation was mobilised through massive investments in information campaigns, palliatives, preventive measures and even a nationwide lockdown.

“During COVID-19, the whole country concentrated its energy and resources. We can do the same against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. This fight requires the same urgency and national unity,” he said.

Buratai also recalled how Nigerians rallied to support Borno State during last year’s devastating flood, providing relief and rehabilitation to victims. He said such spirit of solidarity could equally be deployed to communities affected by insurgency and banditry in the North-East and North-West.

The retired general emphasised that insecurity was not just a security matter but fundamentally political, social and economic.

“Apart from the military, there is the economic line, the social line, and the political line. All must work together. This insecurity is essentially political in nature. It started within the society, through political actors, but has now been left to the military to handle while the political actors stay behind. That cannot continue,” he said.

According to him, successive governments, both past and present, had shown the political will to end insecurity by committing resources, but what was needed was a better structured approach that integrates social solutions and community resilience.

Buratai cautioned against blaming the military for every setback, stressing that soldiers in the field deserved national support, not demoralisation.

“Any soldier in the field, holding a weapon and standing between Nigerians and the adversary, is very important. There is no way you should demoralise him. If you despise him or make things difficult for him, you are endangering his life, that of his family, and the lives of all Nigerians,” he said.

He reiterated that the armed forces would continue to play their role effectively if given the right backing.

“The military is not the problem. They are part of the solution one aspect of the solution. If the entire system supports them, they will deliver,” he said.

Buratai, therefore, urged the Nigerian public, political leaders, and institutions to rally behind the armed forces through moral, political and material support, warning that national unity and citizen mobilisation remained the decisive factors in winning the war against insecurity.

Esun-Ekiti Welcomes New Era As Oba Ilugbusi’s Coronation Ends Over 200-Year Kingship Agitation

By Israel Bolaji

Esun-Ekiti town in Ekiti State erupted in celebration as Oba Olasehinde Bankole Adesesan (O.B.A) Ilugbusi was officially crowned the 13th Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, the Arohunmokinise II, on 2 August 2025.

The coronation ended more than 200 years of agitation over kingship rotation, a dispute that had divided the ancient town for generations.

The historic ceremony, attended by Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, and many royal fathers from Ekiti State, marked the community’s embrace of unity, balance, and restored cultural legacy.

Breaking a Cycle of Agitation

For centuries, the Iloda royal family had held dominance over the throne, sidelining the Atiba and Ijisun families. Historical accounts show that while the first two Elesuns came from the Ijisun family and the third from Atiba, subsequent rulers were exclusively from Iloda.

This imbalance was compounded by the wrongful documentation of the town’s chieftaincy tradition during the reign of Oba John Osanyingbemi in 1959, sparking decades of protests, litigations, and failed reconciliations.

However, under the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), efforts were made to resolve the stalemate. The government reaffirmed the Esun Chieftaincy Declarations, which recognise Atiba, Iloda, and Ijisun as legitimate ruling houses.

On 14 April 2025, the Court of Appeal also upheld this recognition, supporting the inclusion of all three royal families.

Government Endorsement

Speaking at the coronation, Deputy Governor Afuye stressed that Oba Ilugbusi’s selection followed due legal process.

“The appointment of Prince Bankole Olasehinde Ilugbusi as Elesun of Esun-Ekiti was carried out in strict compliance with the Ekiti State Chiefs Law of 2012. The government duly approved the process and published the official declaration in the State Gazette,” Afuye said.

The decision was further strengthened by the consent of the last two monarchs, Oba Samuel Omojola and Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, who had endorsed the inclusion of the sidelined royal houses.

Oba Ilugbusi’s Vision

In his acceptance speech, Oba Ilugbusi declared: “My ascension is a new chapter and a vibrant new dawn for beloved Esun-Ekiti. It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

He pledged to prioritise the welfare of residents, promote unity across all lineages, and advance sustainable development in the town.

The youthful monarch joined the ranks of other Yoruba monarchs like the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi who ascended their thrones in their 40s.

Oba O.B.A. Ilugbusi holds a degree in Business Administration from Ekiti State University and was preparing for postgraduate studies at Wayne State University, Michigan, USA, before his selection.

With a background in business, agriculture, and construction, he brings a modern perspective to traditional leadership.

Celebration of Culture

The coronation capped a week of colourful festivities that began with the official installation on 25 July 2025.

Cultural displays, traditional drumming, and vibrant dance performances lit up the town square as dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers from across Nigeria gathered.

For many, the moment symbolized the restoration of the legacy of Oba Arohunmokinise I, the town’s third monarch, whose principles of order, friendship, and peace are now being rekindled by his descendant, Arohunmokinise II.

Unity and Hope

Community leaders, cultural custodians, and residents say the new monarch’s reign signals a chance to heal old wounds and unite indigenes at home and abroad.

1. The coronation, they believe, represents not just the end of a kingship tussle but also the dawn of renewed hope, peace, and development for Esun-Ekiti.

River Park Estate: Court Freezes Activities as Police Letter Sparks Interference Row

By Ifeoma Ikem