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.

Madawaki     ITP     Olupako Of Share     TETFUND     Federal Polytechnic Offa     Shehu Adaramaja     Earlyon Technologies     Okoolowo     Talaka Parapo     Saadu Alanamu     Baakini     Isaac Gbenle     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Bukola Ajikobi     Yakubu Dogara     Shade Omoniyi     Local Government     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     Abubakar Lah     Funke Adedoyin     Senate     Joseph Daudu     Olosi Of Osi     Ojuekun Sarumi     Oyedepo     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Makama     Gabriel Fashanu     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Facebook     Inside Kwara     Elekoyangan     Frootify     Ayo Adeyemi     Zaratu Umar     Olomu     Abdullateef Abdussalam     Ahman Pategi University     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Kolawole Akande     Okin Biscuits     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development     Mohammed Haruna     Isiaka Saka Opobiyi     Olokoba     Timothy Olatunde Fadipe     Ado Bayero     Garba Dogo     Simeon Sayomi     Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed     Usman Alkali Baba     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Park     Oyun     Alliance For Democracy     Shehu Alimi Foundation     Issa Oloruntogun     Ibrahim Agboola Gambari     CCEPE     Amos Justus Sayo     Solomon Edoja     Oju Ekun Sarumi     Crystal Corner Shops     Ilorin Water Reticulation     KWASIEC     Javed Khan     GANZY     KWATMA     Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman     UITH     Gamji Members Association     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Galadima     Bursary     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Ilofa     Assayomo    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Ilorin     David Adesina     Magaji Nda     Tunji Oyawoye     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Asa     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Daud Adeshola     Oju Ekun Sarumi     Woro     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     Amosa     Saliu Shola Taofeek     Ramadan     Wahab Agbaje     Oko-Olowo     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Kamaldeen Ajibade     Muhammad Toyin Sanusi     Garba Ado Sanni     Omu Aran     Gani Saadu     Iponrin     Apaokagi     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     IHS Towers     Tayo Alao     KWASAA     AGF Abdulrazaq     Otunba Taiwo Joseph     Abubakar Lah     Bilikis Oladimeji     Usman Yunusa     Durosinlohun Kawu     Diagnostic Centre     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     Ladi Hassan     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Aliyu Muhammad Saifudeen     Metro Park     Yahaya Muhammad     Bello Abubakar     Buhari     Kamaldeen Gambari     Yakub Ali-Agan     Kayode Yusuf     JUSUN     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Bluenile Associates     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     Kunle Akogun     Akanbi-Oke     Abdulrauf Aliyu     SWAN     High Court     Dorcas Afeniforo     Siraj Oyewale     Isaac Gbenle     Mutawali     Jide Oyinloye     Alliance For Democracy     Ahmed Bolaji Nagode     Fatimat Saliu     Folorunsho Erubu     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Omoniyi M. Ayinla     Shettima     Yaman     Raliat AbdulRazaq     Abdulrazaq Akorede     Modupe Oluwole     Kale Kawu     Abdulkareem Alabi     Kumbi Titilope     Islamic Development Bank