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.

Baaziki Sulaiman     Femi Agbaje     Abubakar Olusola Saraki     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Abdulrahman Abdulrasak     Oluranti Idowu     Idris Garba     Aishat Mohammed Lawal     Isiaka Oniwa     Abdulrazaq Adebayo     Ilorin.Info     Bankole Omisore     All Peoples Party     ASKOMP     Pilgrims Board     Yemi Osinbajo     Olumide Daniel Ibitoye     Ghali Alaaya     Gobir Organization Foundation     Adegoke Bamidele     Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria     NTA Ilorin     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Royal FM     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Usman Yunusa     Moses Salami     Muhammed Abdullahi     Ayegbeni     Oniwasi Agbaye     Galadima     Kwasu     A.O. Belgore     Segun Olawoyin     Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     KWATMA     Jimoh Bashir     Buhari     Oloyede     Dairo Kunle Paul     Omotosho     Saba Mamman Daniel     Ramadhan     Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan     Sulyman Abdulkareem     Bayo Onimago     Kannike     Saad Omo\'ya     Kale Bayero     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Adeniyi Ojo     Nnazua     Abdulrasheed Lafia     Osi     Tunji Oyawoye     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Busari Toyin Isiaka     Oyedun Juliana Funke     Ilesha-Gwanara     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     CELF     Shoprite     Oba Abu     Yusuf Babatunde Abdulwahab     Towoju     Lateef Ademola Olatunji     HICA     Elese Of Igbaja     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim     Prince Sunday Fagbemi     Ilorin Emirate     Jumoke Gafar     Balogun-Ojomu     Government House    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Tunde Oyawoye     Toyin Abdullahi     Azeez Salawu     Issa Memunat Moyosore     Revenue Court     Olatinwo     Sheikh Hamzat Yusuf Ariyibi     Balogun Gambari     Nigerian Correctional Service     Kunle Suleiman     Bamidele Aluko     Abdullahi G. Mohammad     Ronke Adeyemi     Bello John Olanrewaju     Kwara State Television     Federal Allocation     Sanusi Abubakar     Olatunji Ayeni     Saeedat Aliyu     Mamman Saba Jibril     Ilorin West     Alikinla     Computer Based Test     Akanji     Abioye Bello     Opobiyi     Bello Abubakar     Razaq Ayobami Akanbi     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools     Binta Sulyman     Kayode Issa     Labour Party     Temi Kolawole     Government High School Adeta     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Isiaka Alikinla     Kwarareports.com     Christopher Odetunde     Oyelere Oyinloye     Irepodun     Mary Kemi Adeosun     Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore     Emir Of Yashikira     Ibrahim Bio     Abdulrasheed Akogun     Ahmed Dankaya     Police Commissioner     New Naira Notes     Democracy Day     Kulende     Shaaba Lafiagi     Lasiele Alabi Yahaya     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     Tunji Moronfoye     Woro     Oba Abdulraheem     Abdulrauf Yusuf     Ayodele Shittu     Salman Jawondo     Oniyangi Kunle Sulaiman     Sheu Ndanusa Usman     Ayinde Oki     GRA     Ekweremadu     Abdulrasheed Lafia     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh     African Democratic Congress     NNPP     Daud Adeshola     Senate President     Hamidu Olowo     Hauwa Nuru     Oniyangi     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh