Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, has emphasized that the family remains the first and most powerful institution of moral formation in society.
The monarch made this assertion on Wednesday at the ongoing Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, where he delivered a lecture titled “Strengthening Family Values for National Security: The Roles of Traditional Institutions.” The broader theme of the exercise was “Family and National Security in Nigeria.”
Atuwatse underscored the importance of trust in the mission of traditional institutions, noting that traditional rulers—often through their chiefs—assign punishments not only to serve justice but also to act as public deterrents.
“Shame and honour operate powerfully in collectivist cultures, and the public nature of discipline reinforces societal boundaries,” he explained.
The monarch lamented that despite their deep influence, traditional institutions are not recognized within the Nigerian constitution. He pointed out that rulers are still expected to safeguard local security without constitutional backing or resources to enforce it effectively.
According to him, as militancy and terrorism escalate, traditional rulers are increasingly tasked with intelligence gathering, conflict mediation, and peacekeeping, even though security agencies often rely on them rather than law enforcement when crises occur.
Atuwatse warned that such over-reliance places rulers in a difficult position, as it risks eroding community trust when traditional institutions are seen as state informants.
“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.
The Olu of Warri stressed that Nigeria’s real battle lies in protecting cultural values and legacy. Quoting the Nigerian Army’s motto, “Victory Comes from God,” he said the war is not fought with bullets but through culture—within homes, schools, and communities.
“What we seek is strong family values and moral clarity. War must be waged daily: in our minds, in parenting, in leadership, and in the way we live. The strength to fight comes from God, and the victory also comes from God,” he added.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to focus not only on preserving the past but also on preparing for the future.
“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.
Atuwatse called on all Nigerians to join in the fight to strengthen family values and protect the nation’s moral foundation.
