Forest Guards Initiative Will Boost Security, Investment — Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has thrown his weight behind the President Bola Tinubu administration’s proposed Forest Guards initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will boost investor confidence and enhance national security.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday after a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, the revered Yoruba monarch praised the administration’s decision to restructure the country’s forest security architecture, noting that a safer Nigeria is fundamental to economic progress.

“We’re very happy with the Forest Guard structure and the new platform to bring in more police force to continue to comb the entire forest, both in the North and in the South,” the Ooni said.

According to him, securing Nigeria’s vast forests — which have become havens for bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements — was crucial for restoring peace and creating the enabling environment for investment to thrive.

“Once security is addressed, there will be a solid platform for investment to flow into Nigeria,” he noted, stressing that the correlation between security and economic growth can no longer be ignored.

Oba Ogunwusi said his visit to the President was to mark the Sallah break and offer feedback from his recent diplomatic trip to Kazakhstan, where he observed growing international interest in Nigeria’s reform-driven trajectory.

“I went to a country called Kazakhstan and came back with feedback. The good things the President is doing are opening Nigeria up to so many nations that now want to work with us,” he said.

He lauded Tinubu’s macroeconomic reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange window, which has helped stabilise investor confidence.

“In history, there is no arbitrage again. You bring dollars to Nigeria to do business, and you take it out — no dual exchange between the central bank and the parallel market. The world is watching us as a nation,” he added.

The Ooni also emphasised the evolving role of traditional rulers in nation-building, calling on royal fathers to work closely with the government and support youth empowerment efforts.

“We traditional rulers should lead by example, work in tandem with the government, and give hope to our youth. This is another testimony of hope for Nigerian youth,” he said.

He described President Tinubu as “a bold leader committed to a better Nigeria” and urged Nigerians to adopt a more hopeful and united outlook.

“It’s about time for all of us in Nigeria to come together and look at Nigeria as a cup half full, not half empty,” the monarch concluded.