The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has warned that Nigeria’s gravest challenge is not one of weapons or warfare but the deepening crisis of moral decay.
The monarch stated this on Wednesday while delivering a lecture titled “Strengthening Family Values as a Force for National Security: The Role of Traditional Institutions” at the ongoing final training exercise, Haske Biyu 2025, for senior military officers at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna.
According to him, insecurity cannot be defeated by the military alone because the collapse of family discipline and traditional values continues to fuel crime and instability.
> “Victory comes from God, but the courage to fight for a legacy must come from us. What we seek—strong family values and moral clarity—will not come without resistance,” he said.
The Olu stressed that soldiers are shaped by the homes they come from, recalling how two of his late uncles, Squadron Leader Adebayo Shaw and Colonel Kolawole Shaw, influenced his childhood with their discipline and integrity.
He added that traditional rulers, as custodians of values, remain vital to security but are often sidelined by the state despite being tasked with mediating conflicts and preserving peace.
> “When we embody integrity and discipline, our people follow. That is why traditional institutions remain relevant to national security,” he said.
The monarch argued that terrorism, banditry, and organised crime thrive where family upbringing collapses, calling for constitutional recognition and resources to strengthen the role of traditional institutions.
He urged officers to balance discipline with compassion, describing sustainable change as “not just the rod but also the rice—plain, jollof, fried, or even Chinese.”
The Olu further stressed:
Weapons may silence enemies, but only values rebuild nations.
Trust between rulers, communities, and the state is essential for peace.
Traditional institutions must adapt to prepare the future rather than cling to the past.
He concluded by calling for a partnership where “the soldier’s discipline meets the ruler’s moral compass”, saying only such synergy could help Nigeria win both the war against insecurity and the battle for its soul.
