Family Values Key to Tackling Insecurity in Nigeria – Olu of Warri

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III has urged Nigerians to return to strengthening family values, describing them as a vital force in addressing the country’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, during a three-week training programme tagged Haske Biyu, the monarch said insecurity challenges such as terrorism, kidnapping and organised crime are often traceable to the erosion of traditional moral norms.

Ogiame Atuwatse III recalled personal experiences shaped by family discipline, particularly from uncles who served in the Nigerian Air Force and Army, noting that their examples instilled in him values of integrity, punctuality and resilience in adversity.

He stressed that traditional rulers are “custodians of values” who act as societal thermostats, influencing the moral and cultural direction of their communities through personal conduct and decisions.

“The family is where character is formed in our collectivist society. It shapes community reputation and responses to insecurity. If families fail, the nation suffers,” he said.

The monarch lamented that despite being sidelined in Nigeria’s Constitution, traditional rulers are still expected to support local security efforts without sufficient resources.

He reminded the audience that traditional institutions were the “original storytellers” that defined norms and values and they remain relevant today despite competing influences from digital media.

Sharing childhood memories of growing up near Warri’s naval base (NNS Umalokun), Ogiame Atuwatse III said he once considered a career merging his royal heritage with military service before divine purpose redirected his path.

Citing Proverbs 19:21 – “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” – he emphasised the need for wisdom and divine guidance in leadership.

He called on traditional institutions to balance discipline with compassion, serving as impartial arbiters of justice and guardians of communal peace.

“The strength to fight comes from God. The victory also comes from God. Still, in this fight, we must also wield wisdom. Let us fight for it. Let us build it. And let us win, not just for ourselves, but for generations yet to come,” he declared.