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.

Saliu Ajibola Ajia     NAWOJ     Olatunji Moronfoye     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Zubair Folorunsho Erubu     Valsolar Consortium     Sarakite     Ajase-Ipo     Ijagbo Health Centre     Turaki     Isiaka Abdulrazak     Salary     Prince Bola Ajibola     Babajide Ajayi     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Saka Keji     Road Transport Employers Association Of Nigeria     AbdulRazaq Abubakar Jiddah     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Edret Sabi Abel     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Emir Of Yashikira     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     Falokun-Oja     Ajikobi     Summit University     Pakata     Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade     REO CAKES     Abubakar B.M     Abatemi Usman     International Vocational Centre     Isiaka Oniwa     Tafida Of Ilorin     Owo Isowo     Senate President     Teachers Specific Allowance     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Siddiq Adebayo Idowu Salawu     Abubakar Baba     Awodun     Mohammed Abduraheem     CKNG     Kwara State Sports Commission     Mary Kemi Adeosun     Yoonus Kola Olatinwo     Elese Of Igbaja     Funmilayo Oniwa     Magaji Nda     Bluenile Associates     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Kwara Politics     Mukhtar Shagaya     New Nigeria People’s Party     Isin     Radio Kwara     Shoprite     Adijat Adebiyi     John Mayokun Dada     Waziri Yakubu Gobir     Ezekiel Yissa Benjamin     Awoye     Modupe Oluwole     Oba Abu     Gamji Members Association     Yemi Osinbajo     Bisi Kristien     Geri-Alimi Split Diamond Interchange     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     S.O. Opowoye     John Kehinde Salako     Sulyman Abdulkareem     Elesie Of Esie     Kayode Ishola    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Wahab Egbewole     Muhammed Abdullahi     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Tunji Olawuyi     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Florence Saraki     Lukman Adeloyin     Gbenga Adebayo     Kolawole Bashirat     Sola Saraki University     Teachers Specific Allowance     Ibrahim Taiwo Road     Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs     Ogbondoroko     Ado Bayero     Post Utme     Suraj Tunji Oyewale     Third Estate     Ilesha-Gwanara     Paul Odama     Saadu Yusuf     Sai Kayi     COVID     Joana Nnazua Kolo     Mahee Abdulkadir     Ishola Moses Abiodun     Young Progressives Party     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     IESA     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Bluenile Associates     3MTT     Gwanara     Dan Iya     Mumeen Lah     David Oyedepo     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Guber Aspirant     Curfew     Oja-Oba     Yeketi     Olupako     Balikis Jawondo     Umar Bayo Abdulwahab     Olaosebikan     Bond     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Ojuekun     Ijagbo Health Centre     Kupchi Hosea Maxwell     Atiku     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Yahaya Seriki Gambari     Mazars Consulting     Abdulkadir Remi Hawawu     Shettima Of Ilorin     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     James Ayeni     Aliyu Muhammed     Kwara State Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Dankaka     Laolu Saraki     Abdulrahman Onikijipa     Mustapha AbdulGaniyu     Lithium     AGF Abdulrazaq     Laduba     Abdulrahman Abdulrazak     Revenue Court     Sheriff Olanrewaju     Offorjama     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Crystal Corner Shops     Aliyu Sabi     Bayo Ajia     Alliance For Democracy