The Yoruba Youth Parliament, a Yoruba youth group promoting the culture and heritage of Yoruba land and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, have called for the introduction of a fourth tier of government.

The group led by Speaker of its Parliament, Mr Olaleru Folorunsho called for inclusion of traditional inatitutions as the fourth tier of government for them to become policy makers in the country.

A statement by Folorunsho on Sunday said the call was made during a working visit of the group to the palace of Onije of Ije Ododo Kingdom of Iba Town in Lagos state, under the leadership of High Chief Abu Jelili

Folorunsho during his speech said “there is need for the introduction of the fourth tier of government where our monarchs would be part of decision makers in the country”.

He said the Yoruba race is blessed with rich cultural heritage which civilization was eroding, adding that, people hardly speak the Yoruba language fluently now or put on the local attires.

“We now patronise foreign language and culture. India even though they were colonized by the British they never threw away their culture and its helping them today,” he said.

The Speaker also appreciate the good works of the monarch in the area of human and capital development in Ije Ododo Land.

“These he has been doing even before he ascended the throne of his forefathers and I challenge our leaders to follow his footsteps instead of waiting for government before they do anything, rather they are supposed to work with the government,” he said.

The group conferred a Yoruba Youth Leadership Award on the traditional ruler as ‘Yoruba Youth Purposeful Leader’ and he was also inducted to the Yoruba Youth Parliament Hall of Fame.

Chief Abu Jelili, thanked the group for visiting his palace and for bestowing the honour on him.

He said the honour was “a catalyst” for him to put more efforts in carrying out his responsibilities while reaffirming his commitment to youth leadership.

Jelili prayed for the group and promised to be a good ambassador of Yoruba kingdom and also promised to partake in any cause that would uplift the Yoruba cultural heritage.

He said his belief in the youths made him to constitute a cabinet where most members were youths.

He extended his appreciation to the traditional ruler of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Raji for his immense support to the development of Ije Ododo Kingdom.

In another development, the group awarded Chief Gabriel Egbule, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Uniform House Interntional for his achievements “in the area of humanitarian service, youth empowerment and job creation”. (NAN)