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.

University Road     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd     Muhammad Ghali Alaaya     Abdulganiyu Oladosu     Jaigbade Alao     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Tunde Idiagbon Road     Bisi Kristien     Ayotunde Emmanuel Alao     Yusuf Amuda Abubakar     Na\'Allah     Adebara     Durosinlohun Atiku     Saliu Mustapha     UNILORIN Alumni     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Standard Organization Of Nigeria     Bashirat Bola Bello     Oba Abu     Alore     Saka Aleshinloye     Omoniyi M. Ayinla     Aliyu U. Tilde     Jimoh Bashir     Tsaragi-Share     Olatunde Olukoya     Halidu Danbaba     Saba Mamman Daniel     Salihu Jibril Garbi     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Prince Bola Ajibola     Ayo Opadokun     Elewu     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Local Government Pension Board     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     Buhari     Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh     Matthew Okedare     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     NSCIA     Alfa Belgore     Suraj Tunji Oyewale     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Eleja Taiwo Banu     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     KFA     Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode     Makama Of Ilorin     Sebastine Obasi     Tanke Road     Kisira     IHS     Raji AbdulRasaq     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     Ilorin Amusement Park     Ajayi Okasanmi     Damilola Yusuf Adelodun     Tafidan Kaiama     Kassim Babamale     Hamid Bobboyi     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Alaro     Allocation     Issa Memunat Moyosore     Seni Saraki     Muazam Nayaya     Madawaki     Offa Poly     Hikmah AbdulKareem     Al-Hikmah University     Ijagbo     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Odogun Olushola Gabriel     The Herald     Elerinjare-Ibobo     Titus Suberu-Ajibola    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Noah Yusuf     Saliu Mustapha     Adamu Atta     Ahmad Olayiwola Kamaldeen     Erubu Oba Zubair     Zara Umar     Damilola Yusuf     NSCIA     Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation     Women For Change And Development Initiative     Kayode Issa     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Yomi Adeboye     Ado Bayero     Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Interchange     Mumeen Lah     Olufolake Abdulrazaq     Michael Ologundea     Abikan     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Budo Egba     John Olajide Adedipe     Ishaq Oloyede     Yahaya A Paniyaro     John Dara     Wahab Egbewole     National Association Of Nigerian Students     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Bahago     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     Ibrahim Abdullahi     Elekoyangan     Oloruntoyosi Thomas     Oloye     Rebecca Bake     Al-Ilory     Dan-Kazeem     Eleja Taiwo Banu     ER-KANG     Bello Oyebanji     Olaiya Zuberu     Ilofa     Awodun     Bayer AG     Hajj     March 28     Salman Alada     Aiyedun     Bolaji Nagode     Binta Abubakar Mora     Academic Staff Union Of Universities     Amosa     Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab     Opolo Global Innovation Limited     Toyin Saraki     Eghe Igbinehi     Patience Jonathan     Senate Presidency     Roheemat Hammed     Surajudeen Akanbi     Umar Yakubu Jaja     Ope Saraki     Sanusi Abubakar     Soffiyyallah Kamaldeen     Timothy Olatunde Fadipe     Ibrahim Agboola Gambari     Umar Danladi Shero     Toun Okewale-Sonaiya     Kaosarah Adeyi     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Olatunji Moronfoye     Mary Arinde     International Aviation College     Muhammad Yahya     Awili Pedro     Mutawali Of Ilorin     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa