Ogboni Confraternity Urges Tinubu to Address Hunger, Hardship

Ogboni Confraternity Urges Tinubu to Address Hunger, Hardship

The ancient indigenous socio-political, judicial and religious institution among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, the Ogboni Confraternity, has called on President Bola Tinubu and other leaders to address the growing hunger and hardship in the country.

The confraternity also reiterated its commitment to community development and conflict resolution, particularly in land disputes, while dismissing the perception that it is a secret cult.

The leaders made these remarks during an interaction with our reporter at the Ogboni Obado Secretariat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

The Oluwo of Obado in Ẹgbaland, Chief Olufẹmi Oludimu, who was the lead speaker at the interaction, said the confraternity's primary responsibility was to contribute to the development of its host community and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Our responsibility as Ògbóni is to contribute to the social development of the town. Part of our responsibility is to keep resolving conflicts in the community, especially land disputes,” Oludimu said.

He also clarified the confraternity's relationship with politicians, noting that although political officeholders often visit its members to pay homage, the institution is not a political organisation.

According to him, all duly elected politicians have the right to visit the Ògbóni house, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Oludimu, however, expressed concern over the tendency of politicians to make promises during election campaigns only to abandon them after assuming office.

“When politicians are contesting elections, they make all sorts of promises to the people about what they will do. However, once they get into office, they do whatever pleases them,” he said.

The confraternity lamented the prevailing economic difficulties in the country, particularly the high level of hunger and hardship among citizens.

It consequently appealed to President Tinubu and other government officials to take urgent steps to improve the living conditions of Nigerians and rebuild the country.

“There is so much hunger and hardship in the country. We appeal to President Tinubu and everyone in government to rebuild this country, because anyone who goes out into the streets will realise that things are not going well. God should not allow us to suffer any further,” Oludimu said.

Those present at the interaction included the Erelu Ògbóni of Ọ̀badò, Chief Mrs Ogundimu; the Apena of Ọ̀badò, Ẹgbáland, Chief Olukunle Ọdẹjọbi; and Jagunna Olorogun Chief Sulaimon Yekeen.