The need to place traditional religion and institutions far and above the modern day Justice and security practices has been advocated for the Oworo people of Lokoja LGA.
A University Don, Prof. Etannibi Alemika, made the disclosure as a keynote speaker at the Oworo Foundation First Oworo National Colloquium with the theme: Reawakening Oworoland: The Imperatives for socio- cultural, Political and economic empowerment.
Prof. Alemika urged the Oworo people to assert their Political authority without necessarily circumventing their identity in the politics of Lokoja LGA and Kogi State.
While he advocated for Political enlightenment and mobilization, however urged the Oworo people that even in building Political alliances, they must not relegate their Oworo interest in asking for Political placements.
While he lamented that Education which used to be the bedrock of sustainable development of the Oworo people has been abandoned, urged the Oworo people to focus on quality rather quantitative Education.
The University Don called on Oworo people to strive to establish vocational technical schools in the area, pointing out that it is now the way to go.
He called for the people to strive to acquire relevant Education that would improve Livelihoods, mentioned the placement of Agriculture, particularly Agric extension as a way of food scarcity, hunger and malnourishment.
Prof. Alemika advocated a cooperative system for funding and setting up of small scale small scale businesses, insisting that several opportunities that would empower the people to be self sustainable abound.
Prof. Alemika urged the Oworo people to continue to sustain and develop their socio cultural empowerment by holding onto their cherished identity, cautioned against divisive tendencies centred on ethnic consideration and in identity.
The erudite professor tasked the Oworo people to hold on to the speaking of their language and practices, urged the people to sing more of their languages.
Professor of Criminology, University of Jos, JOS, Nigeria
Etannibi Alemika is a professor of criminology and sociology of law, specializing in criminology, sociology of law, criminal justice reform, policy and practice, and security governance. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in sociology from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and an MSc and PhD in criminology from the Department of Social System Sciences, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Board of several professional and academic organisations, including CLEEN Foundation in Nigeria; African Civilian Policing Oversight Forum (APCOF) and Altus Global Alliance, and a member of the American Society of Criminology and Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Mr. Alemika has published in several journals, including Journal of Criminal Justice; International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice; Police Studies: International Review of Police Development; Crime, Law and Social Change; International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Police Practice and Research. He is a leading researcher and author on police and policing, prison and penal policy, security and criminal justice reform in Nigeria, and teaches criminology, penology, and sociology of law at the University of Jos.