The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has urged the United States Government to assist Nigeria in addressing its security challenges.
The monarch made the appeal on Saturday while receiving the US Consul-General to Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins, and his team in his palace.
Adeyemi, who described the visit as timely and symbolic, said America being a strong ally of Nigeria, should help the country in its critical time of need.
He said, "Nobody is in doubt of your visit to Oyo. You rightly said that you acknowledged the position of Alaafin as the leading monarch in Yorubaland. You also talked about the need to have healthy relationship.
"We live in a fast-changing world. While things are changing, we have kept vital aspects of our culture alive. As human beings, we have to preserve our culture to know where we came from.
"Today, you have demonstrated the American spirit. We should continue to revitalise our relationship, not only through exchange of visits.
"Nigeria is facing serious challenge in the area of security. I want to use this occasion to ask you formally to get the American Government to assist Nigeria in terms of security.
"A part of the problem is that our country has porous borders. That is why illegal immigrants easily enter the country.
"We appeal to America as a strong ally of Nigeria to rise and help. Time is ripe for America to help us".
Hawkins, who hailed the Yoruba culture, said the delegation wanted to know more about the Yoruba kingdom.
He said, "I do not know how to play the talking drum. But we appreciate the Yoruba culture and your kindness.
"We have a large group of visitors from the consulate. This enables us to know about your kingdom. We have diplomats and important people here. We are here to explore and understand your culture. We understand that at a time this kingdom spanned across many countries in Africa.
"We are also interested in knowing the roles of traditional kings in modern Nigeria. We want to know how the past and the present come together."
Retired Methodist Archbishop, Ayo Ladigbolu, who spoke about Alaafin and the evolution of Yoruba race and language on the occasion, said the position of Alaafin as a leading monarch was incontrovertible.
The Punch