By Olaide Oyelude, Lokoja
The Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, has called for constitutional roles for traditional rulers.
The monarch said monarchs are closest to people and the grassroots.
The monarch made the call on in Lokoja while speaking during the commemoration of his one year in office.
The Maigari said his role as a traditional ruler makes him to be accessible to the people, pointing out that the role enables him to have first hand information on what is happening to the people.
He added that the constitutional roles he was soliciting for traditional rulers would allow people have improved well-being and improvement in their living standard.
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He insisted that traditional rulers remain the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition.
The monarch described the office of the Maigari of Lokoja as a big task, pointing out that because he was born into the Royal home with his grandfather and father as former Maigari, he was able to gather knowledge from them which had helped him in uniting and galvanizing the people for development.
He said: “ Based on my experience, exposure and as a widely travelled person, having worked in various places, made the task of leading the people an easy task for me.
” To be a good leader, one thing that should come to your mind is that religion and ethnicity should not be a barrier.”
The Maigari revealed that as part of his one year anniversary, he was divinely inspired to visit health facilities in his dormain and the vulnerable people to lend a helping hand to them.
The Maigari also lauded Kogi Governor, Ahmed Ododo for the various developmental projects he was executing in the state
His words: ”Governor Ododo is doing extremely well. A lot of good things are happening in the State with salaries and pension paid as at when due. The Governor is accessible to all.”
The Maiyaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Aliu Jiya Lawal. also in his remarka,said the reign of the Lokoja monarch had been peaceful, adding that the kogi state capital also witnessed development.
Lawal pointed out that the one year reign on the throne of the Maigar Lokoja had met the yearnings and the expectations of the people of Lokoja.
The Maiyaki of Lokoja, added that the reign of the traditional ruler had greatly helped in uniting the people of Lokoja more than ever before.
The Maiyaki added that the reign of the Maigari had also revived the culture and tradition of the people which hitherto were not given prominence.
Lawal said the reign of the Maigari witnessed and attracted the influx of more people, who relocated to Lokoja to reside.
This, he added had led to the development and expansion of the kogi state capital .
“ Lokoja as a centre of Tourism has seen more tourists visiting Lokoja within a year on the throne of the Maigari,” the Maiyaki added.
He further disclosed that several long time unresolved disputes had been resolved by the Maigari, praising him for mobilizing the people of Lokoja in the development of the area.
The Maiyaki equally said the Maigari raised the status and respect of the Traditional stool of the Maigari of Lokoja through Improved interactions with other traditional rulers across the Nigeria.
He praised the Maigari that “in just one year on the throne of his forefathers, the royal father has been able to build on the legacies of religious harmony amongst the two major religions.”
The Maiyaki added that the Maigari had chosen a low key celebration to mark his one year in office.