The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commended the traditional rulers in the state for playing a vital role in stemming the increasing rate of cultism that has become a major social menace in Sagamu and its environs.

Abiodun made this known while speaking at the Thanksgiving Service of the 20th Coronation anniversary of the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Sagamu.

The governor said that his administration would continue to partner with the traditional institution towards providing security in the state with adequate and effective system for the protection of lives and property in the state.

The roles of our monarchs go beyond just sitting down in council and settling disputes, they are very fundamental and essential to working with us at the executive and helping us nibbing things in the board before they get out of hand.

“Today, Sagamu has been notorious for cultism in Sagamu, and the Elepe and the Akarigbo have played a major part in helping us in stemming the tide of cultism. These are some of the things that our monarchs continue to do in assisting us in the building of our future together, he noted.

The governor who described the traditional institution in the state as essential in the enthronement of good governance being an agent that interfaces between the government and the people at the grassroots, charged the traditional rulers to continue to avail the government with necessary information that would help to strengthen the security architecture of the state.

Abiodun who equally used the occasion to applaud the Elepe for his sterling leadership that has engendered peaceful coexistence within his domain, described the monarch as an intelligent, educated and inclusive monarch who he said was instrumental to the emergence of the current administration in the state.

In his message entitled,” Grace of God’, The Bishop of Lagos North Diocese of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Rt. Rev Gboyega Ohu, while noting that all things are under the grace of God, said that for the monarch to continue to excel, he must continue to abide in the secret place of the most high God.

Ohu who further opined that it was important for the monarch and the people to at all times watch their utterances, charged the monarch and the congregation to always pray for the wisdom of God.

The clergy also charged the Nigeria Governor’s Forum to work with the Federal Government in addressing the security challenges currently bedeviling the nation.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engineer (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon) Olakunle Oluomo, the Ogun East Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, traditional rulers, top government functionaries, among others.