ICIR Urges Tinubu to Involve Traditionalists in Policy Formulation

The Indigenous Cultural and Indigenous Rights (ICIR) has called on President Bola Tinubu to involve traditionalists and custodians of indigenous culture in the formulation of government policies and national issues.

The Indigenous Cultural and Indigenous Rights (ICIR) has urged President Bola Tinubu to formally involve traditionalists and custodians of indigenous African culture in the formulation of government policies and the handling of national issues.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, the group said the exclusion of traditionalists from national discourse had contributed to the challenges facing the country, stressing that indigenous knowledge and cultural values remain vital to nation-building.

The ICIR noted that traditional rulers and indigenous spiritual leaders possess deep knowledge of the people’s history, customs and conflict-resolution mechanisms, which could be harnessed to promote peace, unity and sustainable development.

The group argued that modern governance should not completely sideline traditional institutions, adding that many of the problems confronting Nigeria, including insecurity, moral decay and disunity, could be better addressed by integrating indigenous perspectives into policy-making.

It therefore appealed to President Tinubu to create a formal platform that would enable traditionalists to contribute meaningfully to national development plans and policy formulation.

The ICIR further called on the federal government to recognise the role of traditional institutions in community mobilisation and grassroots development, saying such recognition would strengthen the bond between the government and the people.

The group pledged its support for the Tinubu administration’s efforts at national renewal, while urging the president to embrace inclusivity by giving traditionalists a voice in governance.