Nigeria's Constitution Frustrating Traditional Rulers' Influences - Emir of Yashikira

Date: 2017-09-27

African leaders have been urged to as a matter of urgency prescribe roles for traditional rulers in the constitution of their respective countries due to their significant closeness to the grassroot in order to curb the persisting insecurity and promote economic stability.

The Emir of Yashikira in the Baruten Local Government area of Kwara State, Alhaji Umaru Usman Sariki, stated this on Monday while delivering a lecture at the 6th colloquium of Science, Culture and Technology at the Universite D'Abomey-Calavi in the Republic of Benin.

The lecture which was titled: "The Place of Traditional Rulers in The Constitution of African Modern States", extensively explained how traditional institutions can be used to curb the numerous woes befalling African States.

The monarch also faulted the successive constitutions of Nigeria noting that the architects of the 1979, 1989 and 1995 respectively failed provide any meaningful political roles for traditional rulers adding that, "The sentiments of those constitutions was that traditional rulers were irrelevant within the context of a Nigeria democracy that emphasizes achievement rather than ascribe status".

According to the Emir, "What Africans value most is their culture and traditions which in many circles are considered as best options of attracting foreign currency into our countries through their tourist attractions, artistic products, music, dances, medicine among others.

"A people without culture is a tree without roots. Are we really proud to be what be what we are as either Yoruba, Nupe or Baruba? It is unfortunate to note that Africa s continuously loosing these values by gradual extinction of our indigenous languages, social norms and practices and the outright refusal to give a position to our traditional institutions in the constitutions of our respective nations."

The Emir who was also conferred with the Honorary Doctorate Degree of the University also emphasized that traditional rulers are enduring part of the nation's heritage stressing that they play significant roles as the custodian of culture and traditions.

At the well-attended lecture, Alhaji Usman further noted that, "Traditional rulers are closely linked with the grassroots and therefore, understands the problems of their people intimately. In our search for peace, order and stability in our society, the institution could be a veritable instrument."

His words: "Despite the spirited denial of formal political roles to traditional rulers in the four most recent constitutions, traditional rulers continue to exercise enormous power and influence over lives and well-being of millions of Nigerians. In addition, traditional rulers control substantial economic and financial resources including land and forestry.

"In many rural areas of the country, the indigenous political places, there is a total absence of the paraphernalia of the modern Nigerian State. Law and order are maintained through traditional political structure structures. Even as the federal and state governments try to diminish the political significance of traditional leaders, they nevertheless continue to rely on them as the link to the people in the rural areas. Although, politicians use us to get in touch with our people during campaigns are usually forget us after their election victories."

The Emir therefore maintained that, "Despite the fact that some traditional rulers are as corrupt and incompetent as their counterparts in the modern state structure, there is still a great deal of reservoir of goodwill for the institution in the minds of many Nigerians who lacks ready access to the institutions of the state. The state also treat them with contempt and unresponsive to their needs and aspirations."

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Universite D'Abomey-Calavi, Professor Brice Sinsin, commended the Emir for his efforts and advocacy towards re-positioning traditional institutions in African states.

He added that the University will continue in its efforts of ensuring that cultural heritage and historical values continue to enjoy prominence through research and improved learning and teaching among staff and students.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kamaldeen Gambari     Modibo Kawu     Rafiu Ajakaye     Harafat E. Mukadam     ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     Irepodun     Bayer Nigeria Limited     Age AbdulKareem     Assayomo     Joseph Daudu     National Party Of Nigeria     Adisa Logun     Arca Santa     Ayobami Akanbi     Magaji Nda     Olosi Of Osi     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Saadu Yusuf     Kulende     Ayobami Seriki     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Charles Ibitoye     Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Forum     Temi Kolawole     Omupo     Abdullahi Saadudeen Alikinla     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao     Isin     Lanre Aremu     Ambassador Kayode Laro     Buhari     Osi     TIIDELab     Adesoye     Yakubu Dogara     Quareeb     David Adesina     Kola Olota     Ajuloopin     Aliyu Umar     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Sabitiyu Grillo     Adeola Abraham     Kayode Zubair     Kwara State Governor     IFK     Abubakar Abdulraheem     Isaac Gbenle     Kazeem Oladepo     Olabimpe Olani     AbdulFatai Adeniyi Dan-Kazeem     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Innocent Okoye     Mubarak Oladosu     Kwara South     Labaeka     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     New Model Police Station     Mohammed Haruna     Salaudeen Oyewale     Abdullahi Samari     Aliyu Olatunji Ajanaku     Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Fatimoh Lawal     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Olofa Of Offa     Taofeek Ibraheem     Tunji Ajanaku     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Simon Sayomi     Abegunde Goke     Ishola Abdullahi     Bamidele Adegoke    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Salami Adekunle     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Split Diamond Interchange     Iyiola Oyedepo     Abubakar Imam     QuickWin     Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station     Isapa     Prince Bola Ajibola     Yoonus Lawal     Sulu Gambari     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Ahmed Shuaib Buranga     Memunat Monsuma     SWAN     Baruten     Amada Jidda     Ekiti     Aishat Mohammed Lawal     Ridhwanullah Al-Ilory     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     Onilorin     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Bilikis Oladimeji     Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen     Ahmed \'Lateef     Abdulhakeem Amao     Charcoal     Adeniyi Ojo     Orisa Bridge     Bello Abubakar     All Peoples Party     Adegoke Bamidele     Ayoade Akinnibosun     Lai Gobir     Mamman Saba Jibril     Dauda Adeniran Adeshola     Adanla-Irese     KWSUED     Ilorin.Info     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Jide Oyinloye     Valsolar     Odo-Owa     Hajj     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Segun Abifarin     Labour Party     Ahmed Alhasssan     Lanre Jimoh     Ahmad Uthman     Ahmad Lawan     Henry Olaosebikan     Bio Ibrahim     Talaka Parapo     Rebecca Bake     Saka Adeyemo     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Olatunde Oyeyiola     Cassava Growers\' Association     Ahmed Saidu Rufai     Sebastine Obasi     Abdulwahab Ololele     Okasanmi Ajayi     Durosinlohun Atiku     Saka Isau     Col. Adedipe     Bamidele Adegoke     Laboratory-to-Product     AbdulGafar Tosho     Bahago     Christopher Tunji Ayeni     Ajike People Support Centre     Olaiya Victor Mobolaji     Photo News     Obuh     Kayode Ogunlowo