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.

Kishira     Olajumoke Monsura Gafar     Ibrahim Mashood     Bolakale Kawu     Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore     Jare Olatundun     Ayeyemi Sulaiman     Samuel Adaramola     Olupako Of Share     Adebayo Mohammed Kamaldeen     Oba Sulaiman Asude     Aliyu Adebayo     Moses Afolayan     Abdulmajeed Wahab     Taiwo Joseph     Ilesha-Gwanara     Lasiele Alabi Yahaya     Isiaq Khadeejah     SWAN     Aliyu Muhammed     Hausa     Bamikole Omishore     Mohammed Katsina Ahmed     Economic And Financial Crimes Commission     Communication Network Support Services     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Dasuki Belgore     Kayode Zubair     Oyedepo     Owo Arugbo     Doyin Agbamu     Oluronke Adeyemi     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     Harmony Holdings     Muhammed Aliyu     Ramadhan     Federal Road Maintenance Agency     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     Tosin Saraki     Agor Market     Omar Bolaji Gambari     ITP     Awili Pedro     Kola Bukoye     Shola Odetundun     Joana Nnazua Kolo     Peculiar Allowance     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Isiaka Alikinla     Muslim Stakeholders Of Kwara State     MATTA Girls Foundation     Peter Obi     Jaiz Bank     First Lady     Onilupeju Of Ilupeju     Alapansapa     JAAC     Oloye     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Congress For National Consensus     Rafiu Olasile     Alanamu     Saba Mamman Daniel     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     LEAH Charity Foundation     Sambo Murtala     Kaosarah Adeyi     Park     Yashikira     Shero     Grillo     Hamidu Olowo     Facebook     Toyin Sanusi     Olabode Towoju     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Hijab     Abdulrazaq Magaji     Emir Of Lafiagi     Kazeem Adekanye     Joseph Offorjama     Tsado Manman     Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf     Salaudeen Oyewale     Sabi     Shonga     Abdul-Rasheed Na\'Allah     Bursary     Ramadan     Kwara Consultative Forum     Rihanat Ajia     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     Abdulrauf Yusuf     N-Power     Chief Imam Of Lafiagi     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     John Dara     Michael Nzwekwe     Diagnostic Centre     Bahago     Osuwa     Bond     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     Oloyede     Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye     Pius Abioje     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     National Pilot     Javed Khan     Offa Descendants Union     Samuel Adaramola     IQRA College     Salihu Ajibola Ajia     Igbomina     Nurudeen Muhammed     Ramat Oganija     Iliasu     Egbewole     NIPOGA     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Ajia-Bako     Yunus Oniboki     Prince Mahe Abdulkadir     Isin     Ayinde Oki     NFAI     Abdulazeez Arowona     Offa Metropolitan Club     Nigerian Correctional Service     Hassan Saliu     George Innih     Ibrahim Orire     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Admiralty Villa     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Taofik Abiodun Ahmed     Raymond Olaitan     Oba Abdulrahim     Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu     Mahmud Ajeigbe     Seed Technologies     Yashikira     Amuda Musbau     Samuel Olusegun Adedayo     Abdulrazaq Adebayo     Ibrahim Jawondo     SWAN     Gbenga Adebayo     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     Saraki     Saidu Yaro Musa     Ahman Pategi University     Facemasks