The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Traditional Rulers

  • Natural rulers’ quest for democracy, good governance

    Current resolve of traditional rulers to carry the message of peace and unity to the six-geo political zones in the country, starting with the Southeast’s Owerri Summit, has raised questions on how the natural leaders can help build and sustain healthy polity and good governance, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    THE gathering of most of the top traditional rulers in Nigeria in Owerri, the Imo State capital, last week, has revived the view that our natural rulers have some vital roles to play in the unity of the country and the promotion of democracy and good governance.

    The meeting, a post-election peace summit, which held last week’s Thursday, merely days before the May 29 inauguration of the new administration, under the platform of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, has been a subject of debate since then. While some stakeholders, like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed it as Governor Rochas Okorocha’s scheme to lavish Imo State’s resources before quitting office, some other observers said the initiative of the natural rulers is not only timely but also necessary, considering the violence that trailed the just concluded general elections.

    Peace and Unity

    As if the royal fathers anticipated the controversy over their intentions, the Sultan of Sokoto said clearly at the summit that the unity of Nigeria was of paramount interest to them as royal fathers and that this was one of the primary reasons for the summit.

    “We’re here today to mark the Southeast post-election and peace conference of the National Council of Traditional Rulers. The unity of Nigeria is of paramount interest to all of us, that is why we have gathered here,” he said.

    Dr. Raymond Nkwocha, a political analyst in Lagos, supporting the initiative, told The Nation during the week that the voting pattern and some other issues that played out during the just concluded general elections exposed the depth of division and distrust in Nigeria, adding that “we can no longer pretend that all is well with the polity and the nation called Nigeria. Aside the issue of political distrust, which needs to be resolved, the level of insecurity, killings, violence and hatred in the land demand calculated intervention of the critical leaders and stakeholders in order to save the nation. It is in this context that I commend the initiative of traditional rulers to go round the country at this critical time to preach unity and peace. I do not see it as a political gimmick. To me, nothing could be more timely and necessary in our polity than this initiative,” he said.

    President Muhammadu Buhari also believes the initiative for peace is commendable. He said that much at the Owerri summit. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Buhari explained why traditional rulers are most suited to play key roles in the maintenance of peace in Nigeria when he said “the responsibility of ensuring peace rests squarely on the shoulders of the traditional rulers because they are closer to the people than the government.” The President acknowledged that without the unique fatherly roles the natural rulers played during and after the 2019 general elections, “the relative peace that existed could not have been possible.”

    According to the SSG, one practical way of sustaining the vital role as the country prepares for the inauguration of the new administration is by taking the message to all the political zones in the country. Further emphasising the importance of the summit and the determination of the Federal Government to support it, Mustapha said “My Royal Highnesses and traditional rulers, the presidency has saddled my office with the very responsibility of overseeing the Post-Election Peace Conference/Summit in the six geo-political zones of our dear country.

    Acknowledging that the quest for peace and unity constitute the major plank to the gathering of the traditional rulers, the  spokesman of the royal fathers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, also said “the group was aware of the political tension in the country, hence its resolve to intervene in restoring stability in the polity.”

    He explained that they were poised to join efforts with other segments of the nation in fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among the various tribes in the country, “regardless or our political, tribal or religious differences.” According to the royal father, “What we are known for, as traditional rulers, is to foster unity and peaceful co-existence across the entire country, Nigeria.

    “We are aware of the political tension across the country and we are here to make a statement that we all belong to Nigeria and Nigeria is greater than all of us.”

    Security at the grassroots

    Even more than strict politics, both the government and other stakeholders are of the view today that natural rulers should take up the responsibility of fighting insecurity at the grassroots level if they desire unity and good governance for the people and country.

    Buhari led this call at the Summit when he said: “But the most sterling issue about the whole matter is establishing peace, how to bring peace to Sokoto, to Adamawa and others. But we all understand that this responsibility rests rather more squarely on the shoulders of our traditional rulers who are closer to the people than the government.

    “This is why my office attends to everything pertaining to this matter with utter dispatch. Also, the team-spirit with which you have carried out your functions has not gone unnoticed.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, also spoke on this matter, even as he urged his fellow royal fathers to wake up from their slumber and help save Nigeria from the hands of violent terrorists and killers. As he puts it: “My fellow Traditional Rulers from across the various ethnic groups of Nigeria, I want us to bear in mind that the reason for this conference is the peace of this country.

    “We cannot afford to be seated on our various thrones and see the people we are ruling scattered. So, the peace of Nigeria must cost us something worth sacrificing. All of us seated here have a duty to let our subjects know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Therefore, we must rise up to join our leaders to find lasting peace to our diverse political and cultural situations”.

    Need for constitutional backing

    While many agree that, as Buhari said, the responsibility of maintaining peace at the grassroots level rests greatly on the shoulders of the natural rulers, they said the monarchs currently lack the needed constitutional powers to effectively fight insecurity.

    Mr. Rotimi Adeniji, a lawyer told The Nation that it amounts to wishful thinking to believe the natural rulers can truly fight insurgency today. They lack constitutional powers to police their communities and kingdoms. So, how do you expect them to confront the criminals? It’s all a joke. If you want them to do more than they are doing today, you will need to empower them constitutionally.”

    The call for constitutional backing for traditional rulers in the task of maintaining peace did not begin today. It would be recalled that a similar meeting of royal fathers held in 2014 ahead of the 2015 General Elections, after the notorious kidnapping of the Chibok girls when the political atmosphere was equally charged and violence and bloodletting were being spread across the country leading to calls for traditional rulers to take the centre stage in the maintenance of peace at the grassroots level.

    It was a two-day national conference on Culture, Peace and National Security held in Kaduna State.

    The conference, with the theme: “Culture, Peace and National Security: Role of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria’s Democracy”, was organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in collaboration with UNESCO.

    In that conference, one of the speakers, the paramount ruler of Oko Community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, particularly identified insecurity and corruption as the bane of development in Nigeria. He therefore called for a legal backing for the Royal Fathers; arguing that “if constitutional responsibilities are assigned traditional rulers, they would be able to join hands with government to tackle the rising rate of bomb attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists since they were closer to the grassroots.”

    Another Royal Father at the 2014 conference, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar El-Kanemi, said “the current security challenges could only be surmounted if appropriate measures were taken through proper consultations.

    “If the roles and welfare of traditional rulers are properly spelt out, such will enable them to effectively contribute their quota in national development,” he said.

    The then Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who was represented at the occasion by the then Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nuhu Bajoga, said: “While the present administration is committed to the promotion of peace and security in the country and to also ensure that the abducted Chibok school girls are rescued, there is the need for deliberate cultural re-engineering in order to restore the nation’s lost values and ethics.”

    The current summit held at the palace of HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri, who is the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, five years after, maintains the same position, that if the government truly empowers the natural rulers to help fight insecurity, peace and sustained political culture would be promoted.

    Commenting on the current efforts, Adenijii said: “The quality of the traditional rulers and their statements of commitment suggest greater resolve to work together and with the government to ensure a peaceful political nation. So, it seems today that the ball is in the court of the government to ensure that natural rulers are legally empowered to help fight insecurity. They are vital to the nation’s quest for a peaceful polity.”

    It would be recalled that apart from the Sultan and the Ooni, other first class traditional rulers present at the occasion include the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Alfred Achebe; Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Ediden Ekpo Okon Abasi; Etsu of Nupe, HRH Alhaji Valiya Abubakar.

  • Monarchs seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers, under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), have urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,, who is the national secretary of TROMPCON, stated this.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro, while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

    “The commission is committed to doing things differently and the money contributed to the NDDC fund must be used in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner, and it starts from the budgetary process,” he said.

    Ogbaro said the new management has demonstrated good intention that they owed it to Nigerians, the people of the Niger Delta, stakeholders of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government to ensure true regional development, adding that the new spirit is a necessary foundation for progress.

  • Buhari’s re-election is God’s will, say traditional rulers

    BRACE to play crucial roles in the prevention and detection of criminal activities in your domains, President Muhammadu Buhari urged royal fathers yesterday.

    He spoke when members of the National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTRN), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, visited him at the State House, Abuja.

    The President noted that involving the monarchs had become necessary in view of the deep knowledge of their localities.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said: “You know all the families who harbour criminals and you know those who produce respectable individuals. You know the weaknesses of our society. We need your support to consolidate our achievements.”

    President Buhari listed several significant efforts by his administration to enhance national security while emphasising the overall need for stability in the country.

    He said: “What we need now is your support. No government can serve creditably without your support. We will always count on your support.”

    Welcoming the royal fathers to his “second and final term, at the end of which I will, God willing, go to Daura and settle down”, the President urged the traditional rulers to support his party’s “Next Level” programmes.

    Speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chairman of the Council, told President Buhari that the body “on behalf of all the Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, is here to congratulate you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Urging “all Nigerians to accept the election result as the will of God,” the Sultan assured the President of the traditional rulers’ “continued unflinching support in your laudable projects, particularly your government’s cardinal objectives of fighting corruption, containing insecurity, generally sanitising the governance machinery, entrenching discipline, hard work and peaceful co-existence amongst the citizenry.”

    He described the re-election of President Buhari as the will of God for the progress and development of the country.

    He urged the losers to accept the will of God and support President Buhari to move the country forward.

    The Sultan said: “The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria is here to felicitate with you on your re-election as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We join all Nigerians and the International community in praying and wishing you very big success in your tenure.

    “As traditional rulers, we are not only custodians of our people’s cultures, values and traditions but also the custodians of the religious beliefs and conscience of our people. We are therefore, fully aware that it is only God almighty who owns power and authority and who bestows this on whom He will, when He wills and how He wills.

    “Therefore, your election as President for a second tenure should be seen as what God has destined and no one could have changed that.

    “This result is the will of the almighty God and therefore we call on all to give you maximum support for the achievement of peace, development and progress of our dear nation.”

    The Sultan also charged President Buhari to continue to exhibit the characters of justice and fairness as he leads the country.

    He noted that the traditional institution as an enduring cultural heritage of its people would continue to serve as the bedrock of any administration in power.

    The Sultan pledged the support of traditional rulers for President Buhari’s three cardinal areas of focus – fighting corruption, revamping the economy and improving security.

    The Co-Chairman of the Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, assured President Buhari that their members would work very closely with his administration to fight criminal activities.

    The Ooni urged Buhari to be a President for the whole nation and father to all citizens.

     

  • Traditional rulers seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) has urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, and National Secretary of TROMPCON, stated this while speaking with reporters.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

    “The commission is committed to doing things differently and the money contributed to the NDDC fund must be used in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner, and it starts from the budgetary process,” he said.

    Ogbaro said the new management has demonstrated good intention that they owed it to Nigerians, the people of the Niger Delta, stakeholders of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government to ensure true regional development, adding that the new spirit is a necessary foundation for progress.

  • APC meets traditional rulers in Ojo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ojo Federal Constituency Campaign Committee has visited all traditional rulers within the constituency.

    They used the opportunity to present all the party’s candidates to the traditional rulers.

    The visit was meant to intimate the monarchs with the party’s manifestoes.

    According to them, the move was part of efforts towards a ensuring resounding victory for the party.

    The group also met with the Council of Baales, League of Imams, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Community Development Committee (CDC), market men and women, among others.

    Read also: Agbaje doesn’t have anything to offer Lagos, says Sanwo-Olu

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development Cornelius Ojelabi, who is the Chairman of the campaign committee, described the visit as worthwhile.

    His deputy and Commissioner for Agric Toyin Suarau thanked the groups for receiving them.

    The committee will still meet with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the students, ethnic groups and host of others before the elections.

  • Buhari to traditional rulers: use your influence to ensure peaceful elections

    President Muhammadu Buhari has called on traditional rulers in the country to use their positions as the closest to the grassroots to secure the country and ensure that the forthcoming elections are peaceful.

    Buhari made the call yesterday  during an audience with a delegation of traditional rulers from the Southwest of the country.

    Buhari, in a statement by his  Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said:  ”Those who fear that their persons or their policies cannot win elections might resort to incitements to violence.

    “Our young people must not be left to those who will instigate violence and cause others to lose their property or lives. We are determined to keep order and I hope Your Highnesses are on the same page with us.”

    President Buhari also reiterated the commitment of his administration to infrastructural development across the nation.

    “In every state in Nigeria, we are doing at least one major road project. In the Southwest, we are completing the Lagos to Ibadan Expressway.

    “The reconstruction of this road, which is the busiest in Nigeria, had not been given the attention it deserved till now.

    “We will complete the first phase of railway, Lagos to Ibadan, by the end of this month. We are also working on several power projects in the Southwest. Of importance is the imminent completion of power supply to Ondo South where many of the local government areas have not had power for years.” he added

    The President said the nation could only develop if resources were spent on the people and facilities that would promote commerce and create jobs.

    He commended the traditional rulers and especially the people of Southwest, for setting the example of religious tolerance and unity, saying: “It is to your credit as traditional rulers that such harmony between religions has been achieved.”

    He also thanked the custodians of culture for the solidarity visit.

    ”I am very much encouraged and your support makes me even more determined to work with the best of my ability for this country and its people,” he said.

    The delegation, led by the Ooni of Ife, and Co-chair of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had commended President Buhari for placing the completion of the Lagos –Ibadan Expressway on the front burner of the projects of the administration as well as the Lagos to Ibadan rail line.

    The traditional rulers expressed appreciation to the President for the posthumous recognition given to  M.K.O. Abiola, urging him to continue the good work and assuring that history will be kind to him.

    They also asked for more developmental projects in the region.

    Also on the delegation were the  Alake of Egbaland, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, the Olukare of Ikare Akoko, the Aseyin of Iseyin,  Deji of Akure and the Alayemore of Ido Osun.

  • Prince Charles meets with traditional rulers in Abuja

    Prince Charles met with notable Nigerian traditional rulers yesterday in Abuja on the first of his three-day visit to the country.

    Some of the monarchs at the meeting held at the the residence of the British High Commissioner in Abuja are: Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Ogunwusi,  Sultan of Sokoto Saad Abubakar, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi 11, Obi of Onitsha Igwe Achebe, the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yayaya Abubakar, Oba of Benin Ewuare 11 and Shehu of Borno Abubakar ibn El Kanemi.

    Prince Charles, who is accompanied by his wife Duchess of Cornwall, will also hold talks with some youths, the business community, the Armed Forces, and people from the arts and fashion sectors.

    President Muhammadu Buhari received the couple at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Prince Charles and members of his entourage arrived the State House at about 2.20p.m.

    Buhari, who welcomed the Prince at the Fore Court of the presidential villa, introduced some members of his cabinet and presidential aides to the prince.

    The President later went into closed door with Prince Charles.

    Prince Charles, 69, will also engage in peace-building activities, including addressing the persistent attacks of herdsmen on farming communities in Nigeria.

    He is also expected to discuss practical solutions to alleviating the tensions, arising from the activities of herdsmen.

    Prince Charles has made three previous official visits to Nigeria in 1990, 1999 and 2006. This is the first visit of the Duchess to the country.

     

     

  • SGF seeks traditional rulers’ support to end killings, drug abuse

    SECRETARY to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha has sought for the cooperation of traditional rulers to stop killings of innocent Nigerians.

    Mustapha noted that the traditional rulers and royal fathers have key roles to play for the success or failure of security administration.

    He spoke during his meeting with the traditional rulers at the SGF conference room, Abuja.

    He said: “I am highly delighted and honoured to have our royal fathers with us today. This meeting could not have come at a better time than now and I heartily welcome you.

    “As traditional rulers and royal fathers, it is generally believed that you hold the key to the success or failure of security administration in the country because you operate at the grassroots of the society and interact closely with people in their daily activities. You remain in the frontline of stakeholders in the business of peace-building in every community.

    “Peace-building promotes development, which in turn attracts investment to the country. As you are aware, the situation of peace and security in the country today deserves collective approach by the government, the traditional institutions, faith-based organisations and the communities.”

    According to him, the government would continue to support their efforts to deescalate communal conflicts that continue to inflict severe losses of lives and destruction of property.

    “It is critical that we continue to cultivate peaceful coexistence across the country for us to achieve our objectives of building a nation,” he said.

    Hailing them for the summit held last year in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he said it would have addressed some of the issues facing the country.

    The SGF added: “We would be glad to see more of such noble initiatives at bonding the fragile unity caused by recent violent activities.”

    He drew the attention of the traditional rulers to the growing youth population in the country and the attendant rise in drug abuse/ criminal activities.

    Mustapha added: “I urge you as royal fathers to use your good offices to complement the efforts of government to stem the rising tide and save the future of our nation. There is no better place to begin than the grass roots.”

    The six-man delegation, representing the six geopolitical zones, was led by the Chairman Coordinating Committee and Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar.

     

     

     

     

  • Ambode to traditional rulers:  Ensure peace, security in your Communities

    …Inaugurates New Lagos Council of Obas, Chiefs

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday urged traditional rulers to work towards ensuring peace and security and as well be at the forefront of correcting anti-social behaviors in their communities, saying peaceful atmosphere remains the necessary ingredient for development.

    The Governor, who spoke at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, while inaugurating the newly constituted Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said traditional rulers also have a pivotal role to perform in promoting the State’s tourism campaign being the custodians of culture and tradition of the people.

    He said the new Council was coming at a time of momentous changes in evolution of the State, especially with the development by his administration to ensure that government presence is felt by every community.

    “Our government has immense regard for our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers and we always welcome advice from our royal fathers in order to maintain social harmony and ensure peaceful coexistence in our State.

    “I, therefore, use this opportunity to call on our Royal Fathers and Chiefs and the new leadership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs to continue to address anti-social behavior in their communities. The most important ingredient for development in the State is peace and security and you all have an important role to play in this.

    Read Also: Ambode: why Lagos is investing in Lekki Free Trade Zone

    “As custodians of the culture and tradition of our people, our royal fathers should also be at the forefront of the State’s tourism campaign. A significant aspect of tourism is our culture and historical sites which fall under your jurisdiction,” the Governor said.

    He said the tourism potentials of the State and the resources being channeled by the State Government to environmental regeneration and creation of tourist hubs must be showcased to the world, adding that such required the support and cooperation of royal fathers.

    He said regardless of the advent of modernism, the importance of traditional institution of kingship in the society could not be downplayed, noting that it remained a rallying point for the generality of the people.

    The Governor, therefore, urged members of the re-constituted Council to justify the confidence reposed in them by using their wealth of experience to support his administration in the task of deepening democracy and bringing development to every part of the State, just as he restated commitment to the welfare and activities of royal fathers in the State.

    Besides, Governor Ambode commended members of the dissolved Council for serving the State with a high sense of patriotism during their five-year tenure, and urged the new Council to advise government rightly on matters relating to customary laws, cultural affairs, inter-communal relations and maintenance of public order in the State.

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Muslim Folami said the re-constitution of the Council became imperative following the expiration of the tenure of the former Council after serving for five years in line with the law.

    He said the new Council is made up of one Permanent Chairman in person of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; three Vice Chairmen, one Acting Vice Chairman and 77 members totaling 82 members.

    “The composition of the new members is made to reflect the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, thereby allotting 15 members each to four divisions of the State and 21 members to Lagos Division due to its peculiarity,” Folami said.

    The Vice Chairmen are Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi; Alara of Ilara, Oba A.O Adesanya; and Onigando of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi.

    Responding on behalf of the Council, Oba Akiolu thanked Governor Ambode for the opportunity given to them to serve the State, and urged traditional rulers to team up with government by coming up with useful ideas to assist in area of security, welfare, environmental sanitation and revenue generation.

     

  • NGO trains 300 Adamawa traditional rulers on conflict resolution

    Managing Conflicts in Nigeria (MCN), an NGO, has trained no fewer than 300 traditional rulers, comprising District, Village and Ward Heads, on conflict resolution in Adamawa.

    The State Team Leader of MCN, Mr Abdulkadir Bello, made this known to our reporter on Monday in Yola.

    Bello spoke at a capacity building programme on conflicts resolution for traditional rulers and community leaders in Adamawa and Mubi Emirate Councils.

    He said the programme organised by Green Horizon, was funded by European Union (EU) and managed by the British Council.

    Bello said the traditional rulers were trained on traditional justice system in areas of mediation skills to handle conflicts such as land disputes, destruction of farm produce by cattle and inheritance, among others.

    The Technical Leader of MCN, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, explained that the training was designed to strengthen community level conflict management mechanism, and enhance reconciliation and stability within communities affected by displacement, among other objectives.

    Speaking on behalf of Adamawa and Mubi emirate councils, the Dan Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Lawal Ribadu, and the Madaki of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Wambai, lauded the programme and re-iterated the commitment of the traditional institution to ensure the programme succeeded in addressing conflicts in their respective domains.

    Giving a breakdown of success so far recorded by the programme in the two benefitting emirates, Prof. Aminu Gurin of ABU Zaria said 457 disputes between January and March, this year

    According to him, the disputes comprised 213 from Adamawa emirate council and 244 from Mubi emirate council.

    He urged other traditional institutions to key into the programme to achieve sustainable peace and development in the country.

    NAN