Culture

Olu of Warri Urges Values over Weapons for Peace

Published

1 year ago

September 18, 2025

Olu of Warri calls on Nigeria’s armed forces to partner with traditional rulers, stressing that values, not weapons, are key to lasting peace

Speaking at the final training exercise Haske Biyu 2025 for senior officers at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, on Wednesday, the monarch argued that insecurity cannot be defeated with firepower alone.

Also read: Oba of Benin Fasting & Prayer Declared for September 15–28

“Our nation’s greatest battle is not against bullets and bombs but against moral decay, broken homes, and eroding cultural values,” he declared in a lecture titled Strengthening Family Values as a Force for National Security: The Role of Traditional Institutions.

The monarch emphasised that the foundations of discipline, order, and moral clarity—once rooted in family and tradition—have collapsed, leaving a vacuum that insecurity exploits. “Weapons may silence enemies, but only values can rebuild nations,” he said.

Recalling his own upbringing, the Olu said two of his uncles, Squadron Leader Adebayo Shaw and Colonel Kolawole Shaw, instilled in him discipline, punctuality, honesty, and courage—traits he described as the military’s greatest gift to society.

He noted that although he once aspired to join the Navy, his late father, Ogiame Atuwatse II, persuaded him otherwise, reminding him that “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

The monarch lamented that traditional rulers, while often relied upon to mediate conflicts and provide intelligence, are too frequently sidelined by the state.

He argued that Nigeria’s government must give monarchs constitutional recognition and resources to strengthen their roles as custodians of values and mediators of peace.

“In a nation where people still identify first with their roots, rulers set the tone. When we embody integrity and discipline, our people follow,” he said, warning that insecurity thrives where family discipline collapses and community cohesion fades.

He further urged officers to balance firmness with empathy, stating: “Not just the rod but also the rice—plain, jollof, fried, or even Chinese. A balance of correction and care makes change sustainable.”

Also read: Ojude Oba Festival: FG’s Ambition To Enlist On WHS Rests On 10 Selection Criteria

Concluding, the Olu called for synergy between the armed forces and traditional institutions, stressing: “The values we uphold today will determine the strength of our nation tomorrow. Traditional institutions will endure—not by resisting change, but by preparing the future.”

Up Next

Red19 Global Art Exhibition to Celebrate Cultural Resilience

Don't Miss

Carnival Calabar Needs Private Investment to Survive – Onah

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”