NGF and Traditional Rulers Seek Legislation for Constitutional Role

Date: 2024-10-31

The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria (NCTRN) on Wednesday urged the federal government to introduce legislation that formally establishes a constitutional role for traditional rulers across the country.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State made the appeal during a briefing with journalists after a joint meeting between the NGF and the NCTRN, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Abiodun described the meeting, led by NGF Chairman Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara, as a landmark gathering aimed at strengthening collaboration between government and traditional institutions to enhance governance and community engagement.

“The agenda of the day, amongst others, was the issue of constitutional role for our traditional rulers,” he said.

The governor said a bill was currently before the National Assembly seeking a constitutional role for traditional rulers.

“After we had a few inputs by our traditional rulers, the Etsu Nupe graciously gave us a summary of what the proposed bill looked like, and we agreed on the proposed bill, as presented,” said Mr Abiodun.

He said the meeting also agreed that a joint committee of governors and traditional rulers should be set up to ensure that the remarks at the meeting be included in the bill to have a robust document.

He said the final bill would be an inclusive document that would seek to empower traditional rulers more, and involve them in governance, peace, security of states across the country.

Mr Abiodun also said the meeting deliberated on peace and security, food security, and all other emerging threats.

“The participation of our traditional rulers was also underscored, since they are the closest to the grassroots.

“And fortunately, we are blessed with many of them who are vastly experienced, knowledgeable; we have retired soldiers whose contributions cannot be overestimated.

“We also discussed the issues of state policing and gender based violence. We spoke about the impact, or otherwise, of local government autonomy on traditional rulers.

“The idea was to inform them of what the Supreme Court ruling means, so that they have a better understanding of the impact of that ruling when implementation starts,” he said.

On his part, Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, commended the NGF for supporting a constitutional role for traditional rulers.

He affirmed that the meeting deliberated on solving issues, especially the constitutional role for traditional rulers in governance.

“I presented a brief on the bill being sent to the National Assembly, because, as you are all aware, presently, there's a committee in the National Assembly charged with the responsibility of reviewing the 1999 Constitution.

“So, we already submitted a bill to that committee with a view to amending the constitution appropriately by identifying those areas we mentioned,” he said.

He stated that the structure, function and funding of traditional institutions were spelt out in the bill.

“There's nothing that can happen without proper funding. So, we believe strongly that if the institutions are well funded, we will perform very well.

“Our institution now is blessed with professionals, with retired military officers, technocrats and any field you can think about,” said the Etsu Nupe.

He explained that a committee had already been set up, comprising 15 members under the chairmanship of Gov. Hope Uzodima of Imo.

“The committee will address these issues and then bring back a report to the forum so that necessary actions can be taken,” he said.

(NAN)

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Kamaldeen Kehinde     Lola Olabayo     Jimoh Olusola Imam     Saheed Popoola     Ethical College     United Nigeria Airline     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Abdulmajeed Abdullahi     Opobiyi     Elerin Of Adanla Irese     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Offa Poly     Oyedepo     Bareke     Trader Moni     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Okanlawon Taiwo     Ubandoma Of Ilorin     Stephen Fasakin     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Oloye     Yunus Oniboki     Olatunji Moronfoye     Special Adviser On Digital Innovation     Garuba Alikinla Shittu     Khairat Gwadabe     Kisira     Oni Adebayo     Yusuf Lanre Badmus     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     AbdulRaheem Ahmad Shayi     Fatimat Saliu     Centre For Community Empowerment And Poverty Eradication     Abdulfatai Baakini     CACOVID Palliatives     Sadiq Buhari     Umar Gunu     ER-KANG Mining Nigeria Company Limited     NYSC     Fawenu     Bolakale Kawu     Oke-Kura     Kwara 2015     Ronke Adeyemi     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Shuaib Abdulkadir     Umar Sanda Yusuf     Risikat Lawal     Atiku     Elewu     Ladi Hassan     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Pakata Development Association     Kwara Politics     Ahmed Bayero     Bayer Nigeria Limited     Amusement Park     C2c@kwarastate.gov.ng     Alfa Belgore     Kemi Adeosun     Oladimeji Thompson     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Ilorin     Obasanjo     Clement Yomi Adeboye     Patigi Regatta     Toyin Olayinka Tejidini     07039448763     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Saidu Kawu     Abdulwahab Olarewaju Issa     CCB     Frootify     SUBEB    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Funmilayo Oniwa     Amoyo     Ogidi-Oloje     Seed Technologies     Borgu     University Road     Neo Mundo Ltd     Oniye     Kwara     Suleiman Mora Omar     Ramat Oganija     Awili Pedro     Paul Olawoore     BECE     Laduba     Adamu Atta     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     General Hospital, Ilorin     Kwha.gov.ng     Erubu Oba Zubair     Yoonus Lawal     College Of Health     Marufat Oladosu     Playing Host     Sidikat Akaje     Durosinlohun Kawu     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     Kwara Restoration Project     Bola Magaji     Monthly Sanitation     Yusuf Amuda Gobir     Saeedat Aliyu     Jaiz Bank     Kubra Kazum     ER-KANG Mining     Bond     Aliyu Adebayo     Congress For National Consensus     Rasaq Jimoh     Durosinlohun Atiku     Olatunji Ibrahim     Ilesha Gwanara Road     Bilikis Oladimeji     Olaitan Adefila     Gbenga Adebayo     Alimi Abdulrazaq     Bashir Badawi     Agor Market     Bola Ahmed Tinubu     Oke-opin     Sheikh Alimi     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Buhari     SDP     Moses Salami     KW-GIS     Abdulquowiyu Olododo     Kwara Poly     Ayedun     Odogun Olushola Gabriel     Yetunde Balogun     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Umar Adelodun     Basic Education Certificate Examination     Segun Abifarin     Kola Olota     Opaleke Bukola Iyabo     Earlyon Technologies     Abubakar Abdullahi Bata     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     Kisra     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     Okiki     KWATMA     Al-Hikmah Radio     Ophthalmological Society Of Nigeria     United Nigeria Congress Party