September 11, 2024

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Traditional rulers in Nigeria
Judiciary , General News

Senior lawyer wants constitutional empowerment for traditional rulers to tackle insecurity

By Ebere Agozie

Mr Mohammed Ndarani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called on the National Assembly to amend the Nigerian constitution to empower traditional rulers to address security issues and promote participatory democracy in Nigeria.

Ndarani said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while referring to his memorandum on the review of the 1999 Constitution which he submitted to the House of Representatives in Abuja.

NAN reports that Ndarani co-signed the memorandum with Dr Stephen Nyeenenwa of the Department of Philosophy, faculty of Humanities, Rivers State University.

He said that traditional rulers were the essence of a legitimate form of participatory democracy since their involvement at the grassroots go a long way towards ensuring grassroots democracy.

The SAN noted that cutting the traditional rulers off from the mainstream political administration exposed the nation’s democracy to serious abuse and corrupt manipulations.

“This is why we proposed in our submission that traditional rulers should be given such powers and functions that accord with their role as the custodians of the people’s culture and traditions.

“The empowerment of traditional rulers will address the nation’s security challenges and accountability in governance.

“Traditional rulers, as custodians of cultural heritage and moral values, are deeply embedded in their communities and possess unique insights into local dynamics.

“By leveraging their influence and authority, they can contribute significantly to efforts aimed at curbing insecurity in their various kingdoms and emirate councils.”

He noted that traditional rulers enjoyed easy accessibility to their subjects, caused mostly by their life-long reigns and hereditary status.

“They are more stable, influential, and on the average, are among the most trusted institutions in the country.

“It is therefore, imperative that at this period of our democratic growth, we involve them in political administration so that the society will benefit from the public approval ratings that they enjoy.

“Of course, they will transfer the overwhelmingly robust acceptability they enjoy to democratic leadership as a means to shape and improve their various communities.

“They will lawfully work with the police, elected politicians and other stakeholders for the peace and security of their areas. This, we believe, will foster social cohesion and stability and improve democratic consciousness and participation,” Ndarani said.

The senior lawyer said that they also proposed the establishment of a National Council of Traditional Rulers.

“The constitution should formalise and recognise the roles played by the traditional rulers in mediating between the people and the state in enhancing national identity, resolving minor conflicts and providing the needed institutional safety valve to accommodate, absorb and make up for the inadequacies of state bureaucracies.

“The traditional rulers have been on the scene since time immemorial, before the advent of colonialism. To their credit, they form and occupy a central and important role in the lives of the various people and colour their cultural identities.

“By empowering traditional institutions and ensuring accountability at all levels of government, Nigeria can navigate its way towards a safer and a more prosperous future,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake
General News , Environment

Minister seeks justice for slain traditional rulers, kidnapped school children in Ekiti

By Martha Agas

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has condemned the kidnapping of some school children and killing of traditional rulers in Ekiti.

The minister condemned the act in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that about six pupils, three teachers and the school bus driver of a private school in Emure-Ekiti were abducted while returning to Eporo-Ekiti on Monday.

Alake also condemned the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti, who were reportedly killed while returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti by suspected kidnappers.

They were said to be in a vehicle being driven by one of their colleagues, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, when they were attacked by gunmen along a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti on Monday.

“I received with deep sadness, the report of Monday’s killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti, the Onimojo of Imojo- Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.

“These two traditional rulers, according to media reports, were gruesomely murdered by their assailants while returning from a security meeting.

“The tragic incident, again, speaks to the challenges of insecurity in our country, which the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is working very hard to surmount,” he said.

Alake urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime, and ensure they faced the full wrath of the law.

“I call on the Police high command and the Department of State Security Service to rescue the primary school pupils from Emure-Ekiti.”

He commiserated with the governor of Ekiti, Abiodun Oyebanji; the government and people of Ekiti, especially the families and subjects of the traditional rulers.

NAN recalls that the governor had described the incident as callous and unacceptable in a statement, and said that security agencies in the state were already on the trail of the abductors to ensure their safe return.

He said that security is being beefed up across the state with the aim of taking criminals from their hideouts.
(NAN)(www.nannewa.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC)
General News

Stop dehumanising traditional institution, Igwe Achebe tells Soludo

By Chimezie Anaso

Traditional rulers in Anambra have expressed displeasure with the way the government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is treating the traditional institution in the State.

The traditional rulers, in a letter signed by Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), said the way and manner the government maltreated and suspended members were disrespectful.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, suspended a traditional ruler for conferring a Chieftaincy title on Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah and threatened others if they did not reverse the recognitions.

NAN also reports that no fewer than three traditional rulers have bowed to pressure by apologising to the governor for conferring such titles and withdrawing their recognition after they were accused of “non compliance with the Code of Conduct”.

The traditional rulers that have apologised include Igwe Gerald Mbamalu of Ojoto, Igwe Damian Ezeani of Neni and Igwe F.E Ebelendu of Aguluezechuwku.

Igwe Achebe said Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, the Commissioner in the Ministry, disrespected the traditional institution by taking unilateral action against traditional rulers and communicating to them through the social media.

He described the suspension of Igwe Damian Ezeani, the traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government, for conferring the chieftaincy title, as dehumanising and selective.

“Assuming that lgwe of Neni did not strictly comply with the Code of Conduct, would the foregoing factors not be sufficiently extenuating to warrant a far less sanction on him as was meted to some other tiny few that also failed to comply?

“The severity of suspension and threat of withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition suggests that there may be other issues with either lgwe of Neni or Distinguished Sen. Ubah which are being stealthily ventilated in this circumstance.

“Your letter to lgwe Damian Ezeani was copied to the Commissioner of Police and Director of DSS, Anambra State, but not to the chairman of the ASTRC.

“This act, amongst many others, was seen by the traditional rulers of Anambra State as a measure of the worth of the traditional institution to the present administration.

“You publicly visited the sins of an unrecognised self-acclaimed traditional ruler on the entire State traditional institution, to which he does not belong,” he said.

Igwe Achebe said the traditional institution in Anambra comprised of some of the finest sons of the State who achieved sterling academic heights and professional/vocational attainments.

He said the claim of the Commissioner that traditional rulers had demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money was not supported by any evidence, adding that their stool was not sustained by it or government stipend.

He described the handling of the matter of conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles as the apogee of the progressive dehumanisation and dismantling of the traditional institution of Anambra by the present administration.

“The livelihood of the traditional rulers does not depend on selling chieftaincy titles or the N175,000 monthly stipend from the State government, but on their own hard-earned modest personal resources.

“By their office, age, attainment and standing in society, they deserve far better respect and dignity, than being publicly bullied and unfairly shamed at every opportunity by people in the State Government.

“The Federal and other State Governments hold the traditional institutions in high esteem. What then has gone wrong in Anambra State?

“The traditional institution of Anambra feels strongly that the present administration is progressively dehumanising and deprecating the institution against the trend in the rest of the country.

“The traditional institution is mindful of the awesomeness of the executive power and authority in our democratic dispensation but prays fervently that such power and authority, which come from God through the governed, should be exercised with due sensitivity and humaneness over the governed,” he said.

Achebe said contrary to the impression that the issue of honorary chieftaincy title was on the foremost front burner for the Anambra people, the communities were still faced with many development challenges.

According to him, key community challenges are the lack of basic amenities, including electricity, potable water, healthcare, good access roads, youth unemployment leading to other delinquencies and the inability of the communities to fund their contingents of the Anambra State Vigilante Group.

“We also demand respectable stipends from the five of the statutory allocation to the Local Government Councils as is applicable in other States of the Federation,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Dr Danladi Bako, a former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
General News

Constitutional roles or not, traditional rulers are stabilising factors, says Bako

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Kabir Muhammed

As the clamour for constitutional roles for traditional rulers heightens, Dr Danladi Bako, a former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), says the traditional rulers are stabilising factors “with or without constitutional roles”.

Bako, currently the “Kogunana Sokoto”, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the traditional rulers would always be relevant in the society.

“The way the country is structured politically, politicians will not want to give an inch of power to another set of people.

“Politicians love to always be in charge; the constitution says all traditional rulers should report to their local government chairmen.

“And you know that a state governor may have his favourite local government chairman. If you bring the traditional ruler to a level where he is richer or more constitutionally empowered, the governors may begin to worry.

“Such worry may be that the format or process of becoming a traditional ruler is not as democratic as contesting an election. In their own case, 11 or five king makers will make the selection.

“And sometimes, it is not the best brains that become the traditional ruler. There is no sort of competition. They don’t have tenure, so giving them constitutional roles may be a challenge.

“When they stay there for 20 years and see four different governors come and go and you give them constitutional power, some of the governors may find a way to undermine them or both of them may want to undermine each other.

“With or without constitutional roles, the advantages of traditional rulers are many; they are stabilising factors in the society. They also serve as leaders in social engineering. They settle issues that have to do with tradition, land, culture, marriages, divorce, etc,” Bako said.

The Kogunan Sokoto said that politicians don’t feel comfortable with people who do not have tenure, adding that the moment you introduce roles, people would begin to fight fiercely for that position.

According to hum, it is going to be a major challenge if you allow traditional rulers to begin to contest politically, because people are going to destroy the system.

“Where they are now, they earn respect and people revere them. If given constitutional roles, it may help in terms of validation of what they do in terms of security, local terrain, etc.

“When you are a traditional ruler, you are brought up in royalty, justice, fairness, equity and humility. Once you are trained in them, the honour is there,” Bako said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

General News

Again, leading traditional rulers re-echo appeals for Nigerians to close ranks

By Lucy Ogalue

Three leading traditional rulers on Thursday re-echoed their pleas for Nigerians to close ranks and build a formidable nation that would stand the test of time.

The traditional rulers spoke at a ceremony and book launch to mark the 80th birthday of King Edmund Daukoru, Mingi XII and Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom in Bayelsa.

Setting the tone, Daukoru urged Nigerians to continue to live in peace and unity, despite the glaring diversities among the ethnic nationalities that made up the country.

He said that Nigerians should use their diversities to build a united, indivisible nation, where every citizen should stand in solidarity with each other.

The octogenarian, who was also a former minister of state for petroleum resources, advised Nigerians to always show diligence in their duties to build a successful nation.

Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, reiterated the importance of unity for Nigeria to stand as a nation.

Ogunwusi, however, told traditional rulers to preach unity to their people, describing peace and unity as key factors in fostering national growth and prosperity.

“Politicians come and go but we as traditional rulers remain in our kingdoms. It is our duty to encourage and maintain unity among our people.

“Nigeria is our country. We have no other country. So as traditional rulers, we should use events like this to send messages to our people and even to generations unborn.

He lauded Dakoru for his commitment to nation building, saying that the gathering was a way of showing appreciation to what the Bayelsa king had been doing to promote Nigeria’s growth.

“We are very proud of you and we pray God to bless you and the works of your hands,’’ Ogunwusi said.

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III, commended traditional rulers for the roles they had been playing to foster unity in Nigeria.

Congratulating Daukoru on his birthday, Abubakar described him as a man of many parts, who had made remarkable contributions to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

Speaking on “The Imperative of Energy Security for Accelerated Rural Development’’, a former Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Magnus Kpakol, called for deliberate effort by government to develop the resource-rich Niger Delta.

Kpakol, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Economic Growth and Development Centre, said that Nigeria would never be successful as a nation without the development of the Niger Delta.

“There must be an intentional approach to developing the Niger Delta for the entire nation to develop,” Kpakol stated, noting that human capital was key to economic development.

He argued that no country would become self-sufficient without human capital development, expressing his regrets that up to 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lacked access to electricity.

Kpakol said that to achieve rural electrification in Nigeria, the government should be intentional, purposeful and institutionalize human capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by many traditional rulers, top government functionaries and captains of industry. (NAN)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

 

General News

FG seeks traditional rulers’ collaboration to curb insecurity in N/Delta

By Edeki Igafe
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, has sought the collaboration of the traditional rulers in the Niger Delta to achieve sustainable peace and security in the region.
Momoh made the request on Saturday when he led a delegation of the ministry on a visit to the palace of Maj-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I, the  Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
Addressing the forum of the Delta Traditional Rulers Council at the palace, Momoh said that the the Niger Delta was vital to the economic potentials of the country.
He said that Delta was the seventh state the delegation had visited in delivering the message of President Bola Tinubu across the region.
According to him, they have visited Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ondo and Edo.
The minister said the present administration held the traditional rulers in very high esteem, describing them as being the custodians of peace in every community.
He noted that the government was aware that the Niger Delta was a very volatile region, noting that for the country to maximise its economic potentials, Niger Delta must be peaceful.
“Peace and security are amongst the topmost priorities of Mr President as contained in his policy mission.
“For us to have peace and security, there is no doubt that the traditional rulers and the governors of the states will be highly involved and that is why we are here.
“We started from the office of the governor of the state because we are talking of physical stakeholders in any region
“You should talk of the governor of the state and you know that the traditional rulers are the next in terms of hierarchy,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the challenges of failed federal roads across the Niger Delta region in particular, the East-West Road.
He also said that the East-West Road should be extended to Benin City from the Warri axis and Uyo-Calabar from the Port Harcourt axis.
Momoh said the governors in the zone advocated that the road should be renamed South South Road.
“The Ologbo Road from the Benin axis is cut off completely and so many other roads in the region,” he noted.
The minister, however, promised to interface with his colleague in the Federal Ministry of Works with a view to fashioning out how best the roads could be constructed in a very short time to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Responding, the Orodje of Okpe kingdom who is the chairman of Delta Traditional Rulers Council pleaded that the East-West Road project be returned to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The Federal Government had in 2022, removed the road project from the custody of the  Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to be handled by the Federal Ministry of Works.
“We plead that the East-West Road project should be returned to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. It is very important,” he said.
The royal father who is also the vice chairman of the South South Traditional Rulers Forum, decried the level of abandoned projects in the state by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since its inception.
“The NDDC that supposed to be executing projects in the region has not been doing anything. We have abandoned projects all over the state.
“We are feeling the pains in the Niger Delta region. For instance, we cannot get to Benin City our neighboring state or Port Harcourt, even to get to Asaba is a great challenge.
“The Federal Government road to Asaba is impassable. Amukpe-Abraka-Agbor-Uromi is bad. It is as if the Niger Delta is not part of this country and that is very painful.
“So much money has been spent for the construction of roads in the past eight years, no road was awarded in the region. We feel very bad the way we are being treated.
“The traditional rulers in the South South want to see President Bola Tinubu and tell him the way we are being treated.
“We the old people can take it, but the youth may not be able to take, we want Nigeria to remain as one country but we should be treated equally,” he said.
The royal father said that the South South Forum had made several attempts to see the president without successes.
He noted that the traditional rulers were closer to the people and understood their feelings.
“We are not seeking for position, we are only helping. The cases we settle in our palaces, High Court judges can not settle them in a year,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
Defence/Security

NCoS, partners sensitise traditional rulers against discrimination of ex-offenders

By Diana Omueza

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Capital Territory Command, has sensitised traditional leaders in Gwagwalada Area Council against discrimination of ex-offenders.

The sensitization, which took place at the place of Aguma of Gwagwalada, was organised in partnership with the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA). and Hope Behind Bars Africa.

The Comptroller of the command, Mr Ibrahim Idris said on Thursday, that the sensitisation was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 Yellow Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness against discrimination of ex-offenders.

Idris said that it was dangerous to discriminate against ex-offenders, stressing that discriminating against them could worsen their situation and make them more dangerous to society.

“If we condemn ex-offenders and don’t give them opportunities to contribute to the development of the country, society will become worse.

“The pronouncement of imprisonment itself is enough punishment for offenders, and not everyone that has been to the correctional centre is an offender.

“The correctional service does not punish but reforms and rehabilitates offenders through skills training, business, farming, and other skills to earn a living.

“Also, the Nigeria Correctional Service Act, 2019, has empowered the Comptroller General of NCoS to give certification that an inmate who served his term is fit to return to the society,” he said.

He warned that if people do not integrate ex-offenders after certified fit to be reintegrated back to society, there was every likelihood that the offender would go back to crime.

The comptroller urged residents to accept ex-offenders back into society, give them job opportunities and allow them to participate in politics, business, and family life, including marriage.

This, according to him, will significantly reduce crimes in communities.

In her remarks, the Deputy Director of PRAWA, Mrs Ogechi Ogu, advised residents against discrimination, out-casting, and condemnation of ex-offenders, which she described as “second prison”.

Ogu noted the disturbing negative profiling of persons who were out of correctional centres in most communities.

She pointed out that reformed citizens were usually considered as castaway, isolated, denied access to job opportunities, and sometimes rejected even by their families.

“International human rights instruments on detention specifically noted that such treatment by society, is one of the reasons why offenders go back to crimes,” she said.

She advised that employment rules against ex-offenders should be expunged and other laws that go against the human rights of ex-offenders be addressed.

She lauded the NCoS for the reformation and rehabilitation programmes put in place to ease the reintegration of ex-offenders back to the society.

She called on well-meaning individuals and organisations to come to the aid of offenders by settling their fines to reduce their stay in custody.

On his part, Mr Samson Onuche, the Programmes Manager, Hope Behind Bars Africa, urged traditional leaders to take the messages against discrimination of ex-offenders to the doorsteps of their subjects.

This, according to him, will make local communities more receptive and accommodating to ex-offenders.

Responding, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, promised to mobilise members of the communities to be accommodative to offenders.

Magaji, who was represented by an official of the traditional council, Mr Madaki Waziri, said that council would ensure that no ex-offenders were denied any opportunity due to him or her. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Philip Yatai

General News

 Runsewe harps on role of traditional rulers in tackling youths restiveness

 

 
 
By Taiye Olayemi
 
 
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has advised the Federal Government on the need for direct involvement of traditional rulers in governance.
 
 
Its Director-General, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, gave the advice when he received in audience a delegation led by the  Olujumu of Ijumu land in Kogi, Oba Williams Olusegun, at the Nigerian Culture House, on Friday in Abuja.
 
 
Runsewe in a statement  said the traditional rulers should be recognised and assigned constitutional roles of Chief Security Officers to tackle the problem of crime and youth restiveness.
 
 
“For the rate of crime and criminality, youth restiveness to take a downward turn in our society, the traditional institutions should be recognized and assigned constitutional roles of chief security officers of their various domains,” he said

Runsewe noted that as the primary custodian of culture and tradition, the traditional rulers play a very vital role of maintaining peace in their various community.
 
 
He said that the traditional institution was the closest to the grassroots which makes it possible for the traditional rulers to easily detect trouble spots and violence and curb them from escalation
 
 
He explained that the high rate of crime and criminality in various parts of the country stem from the fast eroding norms, culture and tradition of the people.
 
 
“As primary custodians of our various tradition and culture, the traditional rulers will make out traditional institutions a veritable springboard for cultural reorientation for our teeming youths who have gone under the wild influence of westernisation,” he said.
 
 
Speaking earlier, Oba Olusegun expressed profound gratitude for the warm hospitality accorded him and members of his entourage.
 
 
He said before the advent of Christianity in Ijumu kingdom, tradition and culture played key roles in the administration of the Kingdom but regrets that most of the beliefs, customs and traditions of the people of his kingdom had been lost.
 
 
He noted that on his assumption to the throne of his fore fathers, the need to reintroduce the lost culture and traditions of the people came to the front burner.
 
 
The traditional ruler said the delegation were in Runsewe’s office to invite him officially to the first ever Indigenous Ijumu Cultural Festival coming up on November 4, at the Ojumu Palace, Iyara in Kogi State.
 
 
He said this was neccesary as the director general remained an icon and ambassador of the Nigerian culture. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
 

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

President Bola Tinubu (R); Vice President (2ND R) Secretary to the Government of the Federation (4th R) and other members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) during their meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday
General News

We’ll run an open govt, says Tinubu

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has given assurance that his administration would run an open-door policy that listens in order to transform the country’s rich potentials to reality.

Tinubu stated this on Friday at an interactive session with members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN).

The President revealed the decision of government on fuel subsidy, security, jobs creation, enabling business environment and election of National Assembly principal officers.

“We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go.

“That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

“We may not have it right 100 per cent of the time but we must get it right 90 per cent of the time for this country,” he said.

On the removal of fuel subsidy, the President appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith and that the pump prices of fuel would eventually come down.

“I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal.

“Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries?

“The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy.

“A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potentials to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,” he said.

While acknowledging concerns on the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, Tinubu pledged that any road block on the way of the progress of the country would be removed.

“The lamentations about the capital projects, where is the money going to come from if we don’t protect our resources and our boundaries?

“You cannot have development without capital projects,” he added.

On the leadership of the National Assembly, the President urged the Royal Fathers to counsel their subjects on the need to manage their ambitions and create harmony within the legislative house.

Tinubu said he was ready to work with any elected representative, stressing that the Nigeria project was of paramount importance to him.

On security, the President reiterated his pledge to prioritise the sector until Nigerians “go to sleep with their two eyes closed.”

He said that the unity of the country could not be compromised, adding that every region of the country would get “what it is due.”

“We are going to tackle youth unemployment. It is only when we have the prosperity for the country that we can create jobs that will employ our youths.”

He decried crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region by a ‘tiny percentage’ of the population, adding that it was counterproductive to the economy.

“We need to tame those involved in this sabotage and we will work as hard as possible to ensure that the diversity of this country is used for its prosperity, growth and stability.”

Tinubu told the traditional rulers he was primed for governance now the campaigns and elections were over.

On electricity, the President said a constitutional amendment signed into law now allows Nigeria’s 36 States to generate electricity.

“That’s devolution of power and that should be our contribution to the developmental projects you are looking for and we will continue in ways that will help our people,” he said.

Tinubu thanked members of NCTRN for their early visit and prayers for the success of his administration.

The NCTRN Chairman and Co-Chairman, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, pledged the support of members from the six geo-political zones.

They assured the President of their continued prayers in his resolve to move the country forward under his Renewed Hope agenda.

“We are 100 per cent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah you will move this country forward.

“We will contribute our quota to the development of the country once you reach out to us,” the Sultan said.

The Ooni of Ife expressed delight that the country had remained united and focused in spite of its challenges.

He urged the President to explore the reach of traditional rulers in complementing the programmes and visions of the new government.

Members of the NCTRN at the interactive sessions include Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Ibn Umar Al Amin El-kanemi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

Others are Amanayabo of Nembe, Edmund Daukoru; Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse; and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Politics

Council of traditional rulers seeks constitutional role

By Femi Ogunshola

The Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria on Wednesday submitted a memo to the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of 1999 constitution.

Etsu Nupe, Dr Abubakar Yahaya, who led the delegation of the council said that traditional rulers must be given constitutional role in the country.

He said that traditional rulers were better place in handling communal clashes in view of security challenges facing the country.

He added that there was need to accommodate traditional rulers by giving them the needed constitutional backing, adding that such would help to maintain the requisite peace in the country.

He said that the traditional rulers hoped that those in charge of the review of the 1999 constitution would acknowledge their roles and give them constitutional recognition.

“The council of traditional rulers had deliberated in so many sittings and came out with a prescribe status that should be allocated to its members.

“We are advocating membership at the council of state as well as local government councils.

“We want to establish a national council of traditional rulers of Nigeria to be embedded in our constitution,” he said.

Mr Ahmed Wase, chairman of the committee on the review of 1999 constitution and the Deputy Speaker of the House, however, quarried the absence of representatives of South West traditional rulers.

He said that the memo presented showed that Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu Ode and others did not sign the memo.

Wase pleaded with the traditional rulers to work with harmony so that those who had not signed would sign.

Wase assured that the committee was conscious of their role as traditional rulers, adding that he believed the traditional rulers had a role to play in stabilising the polity.

“I belief that you have a role to play in keeping us united as a country and in keeping the government functioning and providing adequate security in your domain,” he said. (NAN)

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