The Shettima of Okuta Emirate of Kwara state, North Central Nigeria, Malam AbdulAzeez Arowona has suggested that the traditional institution needs to be constitutionally empowered to take active role in fighting insecurity in the country.
Arowona gave the advice during an interview with Voice of Nigeria”s Correspondent in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to the traditional Chief who is also a media consultant and the spokesperson of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, he noted that the Nigerian constitution needs to fully empower the traditional institution to take part in the country’s governance rather than only ceremonial function.
According to him, traditional rulers are the chief custodians of the culture of their people and mostly spend decades on their thrones which makes it necessary for them to be recognized and backed constitutionally.
He added that giving them constitutional power will give be an added measure on the means of tackling insecurity in the country.
Reminiscing on the several constitutional conferences that were held in Nigeria where cases were made for the empowering of the traditional institution, he lamented the lack of implementation of the recommendations of the conferences.
He said, “There are lot of constitutional conferences that were held in Nigeria including during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The conference was organized and traditional institutions were well represented and number of cases were made for the role of traditional rulers in the nation’s constitution”.
“Unfortunately the outcome of these constitutional conferences haven’t seen the light of the day, it is our expectations that we would be made to know what were the recommendations in those conferences” he declared.
Arowona called for a fruitful constitutional conference where the place of traditional rulers will be embedded in the constitution.
The Emir’s spokesperson also spoke about the upcoming colloquium organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, kwara state Council in honour of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, to mark his 27th year on the throne of Ilorin emirate.
He hailed the emir whom he described as a seasoned traditional ruler whose leadership prowess has brought tremendous developments to his community since he assumed the position of the eleventh emir of the ancient city of Ilorin.
The event will take place on Thursday, the 10th of November, 2022 with dignitaries from all walks of life expected at the venue, Banquet hall Ilorin.
