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The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, has called for deeper collaboration between the palace and key institutions operating within the Iru Kingdom as part of efforts to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
The monarch made the appeal during a visit to the Naval Dockyard Limited and the Naval Doctrine Command, in Victoria Island, a tour he embarked upon to mark his fifth year on the throne.
Speaking during the visit, Oba Lawal emphasised the importance of strengthening partnerships with both public agencies and private organisations, noting that many of them had already played vital roles in supporting the Kingdom’s growth over the years.
“Over the years, precisely five years now, we have had strong collaborations with organisations like the Nigerian Navy, the Naval Dockyard Limited and the Naval Doctrine Command. This tour is a way of consolidating those relationships and identifying new areas where we can work together for the development of the Iru Kingdom,” he said.
The monarch highlighted the socio-economic contributions of institutions such as Terra Kulture, which he said has trained nearly 40,000 young people. According to him, such partnerships demonstrate the value of consistent collaboration in empowering local communities.
“We understand the socio-economic importance of all the organisations in Iru, and we want to solidify our relationship with them. This visit is not just ceremonial; it’s a call to action for more targeted partnerships that can uplift our people,” the monarch added.
He commended the Navy for its role in securing the Iru Kingdom during the 2020 EndSARS protests. He noted that the protection provided along Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku helped preserve peace during the critical period.
“I ascended the throne in June 2020, and by October, we had the EndSARS crisis. The epicentre of that crisis was in Iru Kingdom, but the role played by the Nigerian Navy in protecting lives and property cannot be overlooked,” he said.
He reiterated the palace’s readiness to support youth training and empowerment initiatives spearheaded by organisations in the Kingdom, noting that the traditional institution is ‘shovel-ready’ for any form of collaboration that aligns with the community’s development goals.
“As custodians of tradition and culture, we are also defenders of youth empowerment. We are ready to partner on training, especially for artisans and the unemployed. Whatever form of empowerment you have at your disposal, the palace is open to working with you,” he assured.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), the Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), Rear Admiral Usman Sheu Gombe, in his response, described the Oniru’s visit as a welcome development aligned with the Navy’s mandate on civil-military cooperation.
Rear Admiral Gombe highlighted the evolution of the Doctrine Command from a sea training unit to a full-fledged command in 2021, noting its strategic role in developing naval doctrines, monitoring operational readiness, and responding to modern threats, including artificial intelligence and drone warfare.
He assured the monarch that the Command would explore areas of collaboration with the palace, particularly in youth training and empowerment, describing civilians as the “first defenders of the land.”
The naval chief also raised a security concern, urging the Oniru to look into the rising number of unidentified youths loitering along the proposed coastal highway. He described the situation as a “time bomb waiting to explode” and requested the monarch’s intervention to forestall future threats to public safety.
“As someone who lives on the Island, I can tell you that at night, it is difficult to move freely. There’s a growing presence of suspicious individuals speaking various foreign languages. We have freedom of movement, yes, but not at the expense of citizens’ safety,” he said.
