See politics as service to humanity, politicians urged

From Akinnodi Francis, Ore
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The Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade has urged politicians across the country to see politics as service to society and an opportunity to impact on human communities.

The monarch said that when politics was not seen as a form of service, it could become a means of oppression, marginalisation and even destruction.

He advised politicians to take politics seriously with a view to affirm the duty of each individual to acknowledge the reality and value of the freedom offered to serve.

Oba Akinrinmade also called on politicians to make effort in protecting their citizens by creating the conditions for a worthy and just future.

“Every election and re-election, and every stage of public life, is an opportunity to return to the original points of reference that inspire justice and law. Once this is certain, good politics is at the service of peace.

“It respects and promotes fundamental human rights which are at the same time mutual obligations, enabling a bond of trust and gratitude to be forged between present and future generations.

“Today, more than ever, our societies need artisans of peace who can be messengers and authentic witnesses of God the father,” he said.

Commenting on insurgency in the country, he called on people to reflect on the First World War by remembering the young people killed in the battles and the civilian population that was displaced.

He said that peace should never be reduced to a balance between power and fear, adding that to threaten others was to lower them to the status of objects and deny their dignity.

“This is why we state once more that an escalation of intimidation and uncontrolled proliferation of arms is contrary to morality and the search for peace.

“Terror exerted over those who are vulnerable contributes to the exile of the entire population who seek a place of peace,” the monarch said.

He urged people in the state and Nigeria to be at peace with one another in other to continue to promote unity and peaceful co-existence.