- Stakeholders Canvasses Constitutional Roles for Traditional Institution
The paramount ruler of Ekinrin Adde community in Ijumu local government area of Kogi state, HRH, Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu has commended sons and daughters of the community for their resilience and patriotism.
Speaking during this year’s edition of the annual Ekinrin-Adde Day celebrations on Saturday, the revered monarch applauded the people for their efforts in executing and attracting development projects to the community.
He called for collective aspiration in moving the community forward.
Speaking to Journalists on the sidelines, the National President of Ekinrin Adde Community Development Association (EACDA), Wilson Abiodun Olorunleke said the focus for this year’s celebration is the building of a befitting palace for the community.
Olorunleke disclosed that the community is noted for executing legacy projects, which ranges from schools, health facilities and upgrading of roads that have improved the well-being of the people.
He noted that the previous occasions, outsiders were invited to lend support for the community, saying, the 2022 Day, was essentially for the sons and daughters to come together to contribute to the development of their communities.
He commended the citizens who came from far and near to be identified with their fathers land and urged those who could not physically attend to continue to give their support to the community.
Similarly, the President of EACDA in the United Kingdom, Deji Toba, urged all indigenes of Ekinrin Adde to be associated with the community in attracting development projects to the area.
Notable indigenes who spoke at the colourful event called for constitutional roles for traditional rulers.
They also said the neglect of the cultural values of various communities contributed to the lack of victory over the security challenges befalling the country.
he Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Akinwumi Adewunmi, called on National Assembly to define the roles of the traditional rulers in the Constitution of the country to ensure effective administration of their people.
Professor Akinwumi an indigene of Ekinrin-Adde, stated that monarchs would be able to deal with the characters, aspiration and challenges of their people, if their roles are spelt out in the Constitution.
He said with the combination of both tradition and divine powers, the monarchs would be able to use their enormous influence on the people in galvanising national development
He decried the present situation, where much is expected of the royal fathers to solve society challenges without a define roles in the Constitution.
He said, until traditional institution is made functional through constitutional provisions, the country will continue to move in circles.
”The traditional rulers are the custodians of culture and traditions of their people. They command both tradition and divine powers of their ancestors. The people believes them as the representatives of their ancestors, hence, their words attract respect from the subjects.
”If these powers are backed by the Constitution, most of the societal challenges facing the country will be solved.
”The chiefs know everyone, both the indigenes and strangers in their domains. They are on a better standing to deal with different characters in the domain.
”Unfortunately, with their important roles in shaping the society, they lacked constitutional backing to execute their mandates,” he suggested.
A retired Assistant Director General of State Security Service, Chief Felix Ikumapayi, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said giving traditional rulers the constitutional rights to pilot the affairs of their domains is panacea to bring lasting solution to the nation’s security challenges.
According to Chief Ikumapayi, traditional rulers as custodian of cultures and tradition are familiar with the terrain, who are in the best way to police their respective communities.
The Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni in his contributions explained that as critical Stakeholders in nation building, King must be engaged in the Governance of the country.
Oba Ayeni maintained that traditional rulers as grassroot leaders are closer to the people and have assess to information that will help nip security challenges in the bud.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards to deserving indigenes who have contributed immensely to the socio- economic transformation of the area, while music and dance by various cultural troupes were handy to entertain the guests.
