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Tag: Traditional Rulers

  • Security: Lagos tasks traditional rulers to live above board

    Security: Lagos tasks traditional rulers to live above board

    Lagos State Government has asked Obas, Baales and Chiefs across the State to continue to live above board in the maintenance of peace and security within their respective domains by exhibiting exemplary conduct.

    Addressing all the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs at an interactive session on security issues in Lagos State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami stated that the recent development in the State where a traditional ruler was apprehended for conniving with kidnappers to cause unrest was totally unacceptable.

    He noted that as the custodians of traditions, culture and values, the government expect traditional rulers to display a high level of decorum.

    In response, the Oba of Lagos and Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwanu Aremu Akiolu I, on behalf of the Obas and other Traditional Rulers pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the traditional rulers to the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in maintaining peace across the length and breadth of the State.

    Citing the instance of the arranged kidnap by the Baale Shangisha, Akiolu said that all residents of the State are better aware that there is no hiding place for any criminally-minded individual regardless of how highly-placed the person might be.

    He urged residents of the State to be more vigilant about happenings within their neighbourhood, stressing that the identity of all evil-minded persons terrorizing the peace of the State will continue to be exposed.

    “As I always say, there exist the likes of the Baale of Shangisha among our traditional rulers and it is my prayer that God will continue to expose such individuals. The act of evil connivance is ungodly; all fraudulent practices in the sales of land, landed properties and the like in any Lagos community will in no distant time meet their waterloo”, Akiolu stated.

    The traditional ruler maintained that the task of policing, information gathering should henceforth be seen as a collective responsibility because the police are not magicians and they depend on the intelligence of all residents.

    He, however, commended the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his unwavering investment in the police and other security outfits in the State, stressing that the investment has greatly added to the relative peace being enjoyed across the State.

    He pleaded with Lagosians to always allow security officers perform their constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding and maintaining law and order most especially as the Local Government election will be holding on Saturday.

    Also speaking at the event, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi said the secret of evil-master minders who have been fomenting trouble in the ancient town of Ikorodu are now being exposed as a result of the concerted efforts of all security agencies with the assistance of the traditional rulers.

    He categorically stated that intelligence gathering so far did not indict any indigene of Ikorodu as a perpetrator of the insecurity around the town.

    Oba Shotobi disclosed that he is always mindful of the fact that any dent on Ikorodu town affects his personality, the whole council of Obas and Chiefs and ultimately portends great setback for the State government, hence the need for him to be seen doing the needful in restoring security confidence to the town.

    The Akran of Badagry, De Aholu Menu-Toyi I, urged the electorate to desist from violent acts ahead of the local government chairmanship elections, warning that the police are fully prepared for the election and would not hesitate to arrest anyone seen to disrupt peaceful conduct of the polls.

     

  • Lagos to dethrone traditional rulers engage in land grabbing

    Lagos to dethrone traditional rulers engage in land grabbing

    Lagos State Government has said it will dethrone any traditional ruler who engaged in land grabbing and other illegal activities.

    This was disclosed Thursday by the Coordinator, Lagos State Taskforce on Land Grabbing, Jide Bakare at a sensitization programme on the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016, organized by the Office of Civic Engagement.

    Bakare, said the position was clearly stated in the law that any traditional ruler who engaged in illegal activities of land grabbing would be dethroned.

    He said the state is not leaving any stone on turned adding that high profile land grabbers have been arrested and being currently prosecuted.

    Also, Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, said before now, property acquisition in the state was a nightmare, while acquiring land from land holding families, communities and individuals was fraught with fear and uncertainty.

    People could not be sure of safety of their properties as forceful takeover and fraudulent conduct became the order of the day. The ‘Omo Onile’ syndrome was a wide spread.

    “Many communities were ransacked and property wantonly destroyed while government acquired land, were not spared as such were trespassed with impunity. There is no gainsaying the fact that a lot of people lost their lives as a result of this brigandage. People were denied the enjoyment of their property which they acquired through their hard-earned money,” he said.

    Joseph said the above scenarios informed the reason why the State Properties Protection Law was passed by the State House of Assembly and signed into law by the governor in 2016.

    To ensure the effectiveness of the law, he said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode set up the taskforce on land grabbing to deal with actions of individuals or groups that might be on the wrong side of the law.

    “As citizens, it is our civic responsibility to obey the law as ignorance of the law is no excuse. The State will not hesitate to wield the big stick against law breakers as such people are undesirable in our communities. Our people deserve to live peacefully and enjoy their property. Anything short of this is not acceptable to the Lagos State Government,” he added.

    Joseph also appealed to land owners in the state to take advantage of the reforms on perfecting title documents of land in the state, as it is easier and faster now to obtain these documents.

  • Okorocha bans monarchs from speaking English

    Okorocha bans monarchs from speaking English

    Henceforth, traditional rulers in Imo State have been forbidden to speak English or any other foreign language at public functions or in their Palaces while conducting the affairs of their communities.

    This was the directive of the State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who said that the monarchs could employ the services of interpreters if the need arises.

    The Imo Governor gave the directive while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to 19 newly recognized traditional rulers in the State.

    He asserted that “Igbo language must not be allowed to die as been predicted in some quarters”.

    Governor also urged the traditional rulers to be agents of peace and prosperity in their respective domain “instead of being tools of disunity and destabilization”.

    He warned that any traditional ruler who could not show genuine leadership in his autonomous community stands the risk of having his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office withdrawn.

    According to him, “today, history is made that light has come and darkness would not comprehend at all. The truth has surfaced and the right people have finally become the Custodian of the traditional right of their people. You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help keep our Culture and Igbo language alive”.

    He continued that, “for many years now, most of you have been looking for a day like this. Some of you were victims of injustice and never believed that this could be possible and most of you have been waiting without knowing your fate. But today, it is a manifest of truth that your people have chosen you, and the government of Imo State has approved.

    “I took the bold step of reconciling people, took the step to ensure that truth came to be and voided the rancour that has existed in our various communities over ezeship title. This has equally affected the Community Government Council (CGC) negatively because every community requires an Eze to function effectively as the head of the Community Government Council. Today, that responsibility has fallen on you, I urge you not to fail as failure is not an option. I encourage you to help the government in developing the resources of our land as posterity will only remember you for your positive contributions in the development of your community and not in how much wealth you enmassed as an eze”.

    The governor added further that,  “remember that to whom much is given much is expected. This whole exercise you must understand is not an election or appointment to enable you distinguish between those who love you and those who hate you. Today, you are an Eze, and you must be the Eze for everyone both those against you and those who were for you. I advise you to take all of them along and embrace peace. Your first assignment should be to invite those who were against you to make peace in your land as no Eze can function effectively if there is no peace in your land.

    “Today, you join several Ezes in the Communities of Imo State. You are now addressed as royal fathers and members of Imo State Traditional Council which its right is given to you until death, unless you act in such a manner that you are found wanting before the members of this society”.

    He also explained that “the essence of Ezeship is not in the title of being called HRM or HRH, it’s in what you have been able to do to change your society for good. You have to understand that you have enormous responsibilities, Ezeship is not an easy job, it attracts enmity and takes all your time”.

    In his vote of thanks, Eze Lucky Ajoku of Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, described the governor as an “apostle of good conscience and equity and promised that they will embrace peace and help the government attain the lofty ideals of the Community Government Councils in their various communities”.

     

  • Osinbajo to governors: Ensure safety of all Nigerians in your state

    Osinbajo to governors: Ensure safety of all Nigerians in your state

    …Bring to book those making hate speeches

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday urged State governors to take necessary steps to ensure safety of all Nigerians living in their states.

    He made the call during consultative meeting with the 36 state governors, at old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The meeting followed the consultative meetings with leaders of thoughts and traditional rulers from the North and South East over increasing ethnic tension in the country.

    Some Arewa youths recently gave Igbos ultimatum to leave the North on or before October 1st, 2017.

    They were reacting to the May 30th sit-at-home order issued out to Igbos IPOB.

    Osinbajo, on Wednesday harped on the right of any Nigerian to live in any part of the country.

    While calling on the governors to resist playing politics with issue of security, he said that those making hate speeches should be brought to book.

    He said: “We as a Federal Government are committed to working with the State governments in ensuring peace and stability in our country. I want to charge each and every one of us as top of the agenda for us is the peace and security of lives and properties of those who live within the borders of our states.

    “The security of their lives and properties, every one of them and assuring them constantly that we are committed to ensuring that all Nigerians, wherever they may be from, can live within the borders of our states happily as brothers and sisters.” he said

    He added “We must not allow the careless use of words, careless expressions that may degenerate into crisis. We are a people that like to talk and we express ourselves loudly but it is expected for us to recognise that it is those same words that can cause conflagration, that can unfortunately lead to calamity.

    “We must be careful of how we express ourselves. What we have seen in recent times is that some of the languages used have tended to degenerate badly and I think that we must begin to speak up against some of these things and ensure that we protect our democracy and our nation from the hands of rhetorics that may just divide us.

    “From all of the consultations we have had, all agreed on certain issues. We agreed that Nigeria’s unity should not be taken for granted. No one wants to see us go done the path of bloodshed or war.

    “We also agreed on the permanency of the Nigerian constitution, that 1999 Constitution is the basis for our unity. It is the basis for the legal contract that exists between all of us. Our meetings were frank and open as I hope this will be, we were able to agree on most of the critical issues that were discussed and in most cases changed perceptions that may have been long embedded in their minds.

    “We also agreed that under no circumstances should we condone hateful speeches and that government should take all steps necessary to bring to book all those who preach violence, in particular the kind of expressions of dissent that can cause violence.

    “We also agreed that we need to do more to engage our youth productively, create some jobs, and multiply the economic opportunities available. More importantly we agreed on the need for leaders to speak out forcefully to counter divisive speech or any kind of woe mongering, we agreed that leaders at all levels speak out forcefully against any kind of divisiveness or divisive speech.

    “And we expect that our political leaders will do so without waiting to be prompted. All of those who spoke to, sometimes when leaders do not speak up promptly it always results in degeneration no matter what the problem may be.

    “This applied to both the statement made by the young people in the
    South East as well as the youth in the Northern states. We discovered there was a need for much greater resonance in the way that these things are done and for the leaders to speak up more forcefully.

    “We believe that if the leaders do not speak up forcefully enough if for any reason matters are allowed to degenerate, not only does leadership loose their legitimacy, they run the risk of things going completely out of control,” he said

    Commending the leaders from the North and South for their openness at the consultation meetings, he said that “they were extremely responsible even in their criticisms of what they felt were issues that should have been better handled. I think that their criticisms were fair and balanced. I must commend them for their sense of responsibility and their leadership.”

    He told the governors that some of the issues that came up during the consultative meetings included the issues of the herdsmen and farmers crisis.

    He said “Especially the way that some of these have resulted in flashpoint across the country. We started those discussions during the consultations we had and I believe that we will be able to deepen those discussions in our meeting and possibly hold a more expanded meeting where we will be to take a closer look at it.

    “It is absolutely important that we are able to make lasting and satisfactory solutions to these problems. Of course the problems are multidimensional but the states have a very important role to play especially because they are in control of land in their territories.

    “I must say that I trust that all of us must appreciate the need to show greater unity of purpose and the determination to work together to resolve various challenges that arise on a constant basis for the benefit of all Nigerians regardless of party affiliations.

    “We must resist the temptation to play politics especially with matters of security, but to reach for simplistic narratives that might be originally expedient and satisfying but false, deceiving and sometimes unhealthy to proper understanding of the issues. Sometimes intensions are perceived on the account of the fact that they have wrong perception about a particular thing.

    “I think it is in our place to ensure that we dig down the fact and ensure that people are given the fact and ensure that we don’t colour them with politics,” he stated.

    The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, at the end of the meeting told State House correspondents that all the governors at the meeting are unanimously behind the Federal Government in keeping Nigeria one.

     

  • Day Ekpeye traditional rulers crowned Wudhiga as Ada Ekpeye-logbo

    Day Ekpeye traditional rulers crowned Wudhiga as Ada Ekpeye-logbo

    The day marked a unique chapter in the history of socio-cultural development of Ekpeye land which comprises Ahoada West and East Local government areas of Rivers State. It is the second time a woman was crowned and elevated to the coveted position of Ada Ekpeye-Logbo II of Ekpeye-land.

    The traditional title of Ekpeye-logbo, which is occupied by Eze Ekpeye-logbo, His Royal Majesty Eze Robison O. Robison, is the strongest, respectful  and highest traditional stool in the Ekpeye Kingdom. The state recognizses it socio-political influence in the life of its subjects.

    Dr. Patricia Wudhiga Ogbonnaya, who has immensely contributed to the growth of women and children in Ekpeye Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole, got the attention and admiration of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Chiefs and the blessing of  Eze Ekpeye-logbo II, His Royal Majesty Eze Robison O. Robison.

    Mrs.  Ogbonnaya’s coronation day was a gathering of those that matter in Ekpeye Kingdom, Rivers State and Southsouth. It attracted businessmen, politicians, traditional rulers, and socialites who came from far and near to witness the epoch-making event.

    Some of the guests who spoke at the event believe that Mrs.  Ogbonnaya deserves the coveted traditional crown because of her contributions to humanity.

    Eze Robison said: “ The stool is as old as Eze Ekpeye Logbo stool. I created the stool immediately I ascended to the throne of Eze Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land. The  first lady whom I gave the ‘title’ was late High Chief (Mrs.) Dorothy Echikwa who ruled the women folk in Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land.

    “The quality and the capacity of Ada Ekpeye was very challenging, hence it took Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council many years after her demise to appoint another ‘Ada Ekpeye’ of her quality. Having searched very diligently and meticulously, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-council was directed by the Almighty God and our deities to rest the stool on the young precious lady whom the golden crown fits most in Ekpeye land. She is no other person than, High Chief Patricia Wudhiga Ogbonnaya”

    In her acceptance speech after her coronation, Mrs. Ogbonnaya said: “I’m more humbled today for your choice of elevating me to the coveted position of Ada Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye land. I believe that this is divine, and therefore promise to live up to the tenets of the position demands by the Grace of God, to the best of my ability and to the glory of Almighty God and humanity.

    “I’m pleading to our men in this kingdom to put away the traditional beliefs that the place of a woman is always in the kitchen. Our children should be given quality education, no one in this present day will train  a girl child, only to limit her potentials to the kitchen or to the farm or carrying our traditional “Ogbani and Ogwu” (Hampers and hoes).”

  • Battle Royale: Female traditional rulers accuse male monarchs of suppression

    Battle Royale: Female traditional rulers accuse male monarchs of suppression

    Female traditional rulers in the country are accusing their male counterparts of ‘assault’ and an attempt to suppress them. This follows the suspension of a planned event to host them by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose. Oseheye Okwuofu writes.

    In another dramatic event in the quest to end suppression and discrimination against female traditional rulers, female rulers in Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Kwara states again raised their voices, seeking for the attention of members of the National Assembly to give legal instrument to the age-long traditional institution.

    According to the monarchs, the ongoing suppression by their male counterparts is against the spirit of the laws of the land and an assault on humanity.

    The coordinator of the female traditional rulers, and a researcher, lecturer and faculty member in the Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Fatai Olasupo, who has been championing the cause of the female monarchs, described the continued suppression of female traditional rulers in Nigeria as a total disregard to the cultural heritage of the people.

    Most recent of the alleged assault against female monarchs, he said, was last week’s cancellation of the planned hosting of female traditional rulers by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, who in recognition of the historical role of the female rulers in Nigeria, had agreed to fete the monarchs.

    He explained that it was shocking to know that the male counterparts rose against the programme even when the female monarchs have spent so much in preparation for the event. They had gone to market to buy everything, including the aso-ebi before the news filtered in that the programme had been cancelled following a protest by the male traditional rulers.

    He said “This is great injustice against the female folks and nobody seemed to be talking, whereas female traditional rulers have been in existence for centuries in Yorubaland and other parts of Nigeria. It is very disturbing that some male monarchs want to distort history and the culture of our people because of power and selfish pursuit.”

    Prof Olasupo, who is well known for his research and numerous publications on African Studies, recalled his visit to a powerful female traditional ruler in Ijesaland, Yeyerise of Ijesaland, Her Majesty, Felicia Modupe Obiwole, which he noted presented a tantalizing example of female traditional rulers in not only Yorubaland, but in Nigeria as a whole.

    This fact of history, according to him, was attested to by His Royal Highness, the cerebral Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, who accorded the highest respect to the female traditional ruler of Ijeshaland.

    To further buttress his argument, the varsity don said “For instance, on the day of the grand finale of every Iwude festival, a procession is kicked off by Oba Aromolaran II, during which he paid routine visits to traditional palaces in Ilesha to offer prayers, and the palace of the female king, Yeyerise, is the first palace His Royal Highness touches before visiting other palaces e.g Obaala, Sawe, Lejoka and Salotun.”

    He urged other male monarchs to emulate the sterling qualities of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, adding that this should serve as template to other traditional rulers in the country.

    Delving further into history, the varsity don said dating back to sixteenth and seventh centuries, Ijesha women have been taking shots at traditional rulership in Ijeshaland not as Obabinrin (female Kings) but as full Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.

    “According to Atayero S.A (1972), in a book titled “A Short Story of the Ijeshas,” not less than six female Owas reigned in Ilesha the capital city of Ijesha people.

    This book by Atayero S.A, listed the six female Owas as follow: Yeye Ladegba (A.D 1646-1652), 6 years in office; Yeye Ogunrogbo (A.D 1652-1653), 1 year in office; Yeye Waji A.D (1691-1692), 1 year in office; Yeye Waiye (A.D 1692-1693), 1year in office; Yeye Wayero (A.D 1698-1712), 14 years in office; Yeye Ori (A.D 1734-1749), 15 years in office,” he stated.

    Also, in her book titled “Women and Politics in Nigeria”, Professor Bolanle Awe attested to the age-long presence of female traditional rulers in Yorubaland, when she said of a female warrior, Efunsetan Aniwura, after her (Efunsetan’s) death travelled back to her “home town in Ilesha and rise to become the ruler Ataiyero”.

    While seeking the voice of well-meaning Nigerians in the quest for support for the female monarchs, Professor Olasupo wondered why male monarchs take delight in suppressing their female counterparts with separate kingdoms, subjects and regulations governing their domain.

    Commenting on the ugly development in Ekiti, Professor Olasupo said the time has come for Nigeria to accord honour to female traditional rulers and prevail on the National Assembly to enact laws to protect female monarchs from suppression, intimidation and assault from male counterparts.

  • Kano to retire traditional rulers after 35 years in service

    Kano to retire traditional rulers after 35 years in service

    The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday adopted a joint report of the House Committee on Pension and Judiciary seeking to amend the Kano State Pension and Gratuity Law 2014.
    The adoption of the amendment if assented to by the governor would lead to the retirement of traditional rulers who had exceeded the mandatory 35 years of service or attained 60 years.
    The Chairman of the House Committee on Pension, Alhaji Ali Shanono, presented the report which was unanimously adopted by the members.
    According to Shanono, the civil service rules provides that civil servants should be retired after attaining 35 years in service or 60 years.
    Shanono added that any traditional ruler, who is on the civil service pay roll and had attained such age should be retired and be converted.
    He said the committee also recommended that after the retirement of the traditional rulers, the state should have them reappointed on temporary team until their death or voluntary exit.
    He said that the committee recommended that such monarchs should be place on consolidated allowance. The traditional rulers to be affected include District, Ward and village heads.
    Speaker Kabiru Rurum also announced at plenary that the House had commenced the 2017 budget defence for the 44 local government areas.

  • Constitutional roles for traditional rulers

    One of the defects of the 1979 and 1999 constitutions is the deliberate denial of any role whatsoever for the traditional rulers. If you go through the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, there is not a single role for our traditional rulers. It was not so before.

    Section 34(ii) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1963 states that (2) The Senators representing the Federal territory shall be:

    (a)        The Oba of Lagos, who shall be an ex-officio member of the Senate; (b) a Chief selected in such manner as may be prescribed by Parliament by the White-Cap Chiefs and War Chiefs of Lagos from among their own number; and two other persons selected for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed Parliament.

    Section 4 of the Constitution of Northern Nigerian Law, 1963 states that There shall be a Legislature for the Region, which shall consist of the Governor, a House of Chiefs and a House of Assembly and which shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Region.

    5 (1) The House of Chiefs shall consist of – (a) all first- class Chiefs, who shall be ex-officio members of the House; (b) ninety-five Chiefs having such qualifications and selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region (c) an adviser on Moslem law.

    (2) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a Chief other than first- class Chief shall become vacant in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region. (3) In this section— “Chief” means any persons who is for the time being recognized by the Governor as a Chief;” First-class Chief” means any Chief whose officer is for the time being graded as that of a first-class Chief under any law in force in the Region.

    Section 4 of the constitution of eastern Nigeria Law,1963 states that there shall be a Legislature for the Region, which shall consist of the Governor, a House of Chiefs and a House Assembly and which shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Region. 5 (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of sections 9 and 34 of this constitution, the House of Chiefs shall consist (a)  all traditional Rulers, who shall be ex-officio members of the House  ( ) first class chiefs appointed to represent provinces in the Region (c) fifty-five Chiefs having such qualifications and selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the legislature of the Region; and (d) such special members(not exceeding five) having such qualification as may be selected by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier. (2) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a member other than an ex-officio member shall become vacant in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the other Region.

    Section 4 of the constitution of the Western Nigeria law, 1963 states that there shall be a Legislature for the Region, which shall consist of the Governor, a House of Chiefs and a House of Assembly and which shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Region. 5(1) The House of Chiefs shall consist of— (a) the persons for the time being holding such chieftaincies as may be prescribed by the Governor, who shall be ex officio members of the House; (b) eighty-seven Chiefs having such qualifications and selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; (c) such Special members, being Chiefs (not exceeding four) as may be selected by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier; and (d) if he is not a member of the House of Chiefs apart from this paragraph, the President of the House  (2) (a) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a member other than an ex officio member or a Special Member shall become vacant in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; (b) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a Special Member, including a Special Member appointed by the Governor at any time  before the coming into force of this Constitution, shall become vacant if he is removed from office as a Special Member by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier (3) In section—”Chief” means any person who is for the time being recognized as a Chief under any law in force in the Region.

    The Constitution of Mid-Western Nigeria Act,1964 Section 4 states that there shall be a Legislature for the Region, which shall consist of the Governor, a House of Chiefs and a House of Assembly and which shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Region. 5—(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 9 of this Constitution, the house shall consist of—— (a) the Oba of Benin, the Olu of Warri and the persons for the time being holding such other chieftaincies as may be prescribed by the Governor, who shall be ex-officio members of the House; (b) fifty-one Chiefs having such qualification and selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; (c) such Special Members, being Chiefs, as may be selected by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier; and (d) four members selected by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, to represent the interests of groups of persons resident in the special areas within the meaning of subsection (4) of section 14 of this Constitution, being groups whose interests, in the opinion of the Governor acting as aforesaid, are not represented by members of the House of Assembly for constituencies in those areas (2) A person shall not be a member of the House of Chiefs by virtue of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section during any period when he holds office as Governor and the number of persons who are for the time being members of that House by virtue of that paragraph or paragraph (c) of that subsection shall not in the aggregate exceed ten (3) The seat of a member of the House of Chiefs shall become vacant— (a) in the case of  member other than the Oba of Benin, the Olu of Warri or a Special Member, in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; and (b) in the case of a Special member, if he is removed from office as such a member by the Governor, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier. (4) In this section “Chief” means any person who is for the time beign recognized as a chief under any law in force in the Region.

    If you look at the present 1999 constitution and the 1979 constitution which we operated between 1979 and 1983, you will never find any role for the traditional rulers. We pretend that they don’t exist yet when we have crisis be it religious, ethnic, communal, land or political crisis, we run to them for help.

    I once asked my friend, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbiowo II,(1950-2013), the Deji of Oyemekun(Akure) during his reign, whether the institution of traditional rulers will go into extinction or not in the face of modern-day challenges, he replied:  “Never, never. We survived the colonialists, we survived the politicians in the first republic, we survived the military; we are going to be around for a long to come.”

    No doubt, that institution will be with us for long. It is our link with our past. As Justice Oliver Wendel Holness (1841-1935) said: “Historic continuity with the past is not a duty, it is only a necessity.”A constitutional amendment has become necessary to give the traditional rulers important roles in governance.

     

    • Eric Teniola, a former director at the presidency,

        lives in Lagos.  

  • Oniba’s kidnap: Oba Akiolu tasks traditional rulers on security

    Oniba’s kidnap: Oba Akiolu tasks traditional rulers on security

    Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, Tuesday tasked his colleagues to wake up to their responsibilities and take the business of security within their various communities seriously.

    Akiolu spoke when he led other traditional rulers under the aegis of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs to the Lagos House, Ikeja, on a “thank you” visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He said the incident which led to the kidnap of the Oniba of Iba, Oba Goriola Oseni, on July 16, was a wake-up call for them, noting that the business of protecting lives and property should not be left to the security agencies alone.

    He said, “Honestly as I told my brother Obas, all of us will have to go back and rearrange our security architecture. All hands must be on deck, everyone must assist the government. That’s why in my palace, people accuse me, but I told them that well, maybe because I was a policeman.

    “It is very necessary. We are happy because the governor did very well and the commissioner of police. Al the security agencies, even the navy, they did all that they could do but we still have to be at alert. Everybody must be prepared like the motto of the Boys Scout says; we are not going to take things for granted now,” Akiolu said.

    He commended the efforts of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the security agencies in the State which led to the successful rescue of the Oba Oseni.

    He said the efforts of the security agencies, coupled with the valuable information provided by Nigerians came in handy in the investigation process.

    “First of all we should thank God almighty for sparing our lives to enable us see today and bringing one of us back home, Oba Oniba who was kidnapped.

    “We’ve come to say a big thank you to the Governor of Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, DOC 81 Division, the SSS and all other security forces and the entire Lagos state and Nigerians in general for the valuable information given to the police, which led to the successful operation which brought our colleague back,” Akiolu said.

    Akiolu also warned vandals and kidnappers to keep away from the State, saying that the security apparatus in the State has been fortified to wage war against every form of criminality anywhere in the State.

    “It is in their interest to desist and look for other legal ventures to make ends meets. The mere fact that the economy appears not to okay does not mean that you resort to criminality. They should stop, not just kidnapping, but any form of criminality, no religion accepts such. Everybody is at alert now, we are on their toes now and with the encouragement given by the Chief of Naval Staff, the NSA and the IGP they will be chased down to anywhere they are”, he said.

    Responding, the governor said that the state government after learning of the incident deployed its security intelligence to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of Oba Oseni.

    “At the initial stage, when the Oba was kidnapped, it appeared as if government was not doing anything. That was actually not the case. It was not just a sacrilege in Yorubaland, but the traditional institution was indeed desecrated. So, we needed to dig into what really happened to reach a logical conclusion,” he said.

    Ambode while commending Oba Akiolu and other members of the traditional institution in the State for the support and concern during the period, assuring them that such incident would never occur in the State again.

    “We will now pay greater attention collectively to the security of our traditional rulers. We need to increase security especially for those rulers in the riverine areas. Whatever it is that the Council of Obas must do, must be done to strengthen the security in that area, but there must be cohesion and unity amongst us.

    “Anything that will bring about peace and make the State progress is our priority and the security of lives and property has always been the priority of this government,” the governor said.

  • 28 traditional rulers in Esanland endorse Ize-Iyamu

    28 traditional rulers in Esanland endorse Ize-Iyamu

    A total of 28 traditional rulers in Edo Central Senatorial district have endorsed the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as its preferred candidate to take over from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    They directed their subjects to vote for Pastor Ize-Iyamu in the September 10 governorship election.

    The traditional rulers spoke when they gathered at the palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Anslem Eidenojie, to receive Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

    They said their decision was based on what rhyme described as ‘sustained marginalisation of Esanland and her people in a state that belonged to them all.’

    Three traditional rulers, namely HRM Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM Ehidiamen of Opoji and HRM Izuware of Ujiogba, who spoke appealed to Pastor Ize-Iyamu to correct the imbalance immediately he assumes office in November.

    The Ojuromi of Uromi, said, “We know you very well. You are a man, who has direct relationship with virtually all the Enigie (traditional ruler) of Esanland.

    “You are a son of the former Esogban of Benin Kingdom. You are a son of tradition. Your father served in the Palace without blemish. He did not betray the Palace.

    “We the Enigie in Esanland believe that if we give you our support, you will not betray us. We want to say that Esan nation is part and parcel of this state. We know how much we have been relegated in our own state and we are very unhappy about it.

    He said it was a wise decision for Ize-Iyamu to pick their son as his running mate, saying “our saying thank you to you will not just be by words of mouth, we will use our PVCs to say thank you to you.”

    Onojie of Opoji, HRM Ehidiamen, described the situation of Esanland to the Jews surrounded by Arabs.

    He said, “the dumb says there are so many words in his belly, but he cannot say anything because of his condition. We are neither deaf nor dumb, by God’s grace, we will do the election.”

    On his part, the Onojie of Ujiogba, HRM Izuware, noted there were only two teachers in the senior secondary school and two in the junior secondary school at Ujiogba Grammar School.