BY SAM DUVWODE
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that, the wellbeing of his administration for good governance rest upon the honour, respect and partnership with the traditional institution. He added that, traditional institution is the bedrock of the society, a hub which the socio economic lives of the people evolves.
Governor Okowa, stated this yesterday at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, while declaring open a One-Day Workshop/Seminar for Traditional Rulers in Delta State, organized by Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Office of the Deputy Governor, Asaba.
The Governor who was represented by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, said, Royal fathers are economic mobilizers, they posses leadership quaility, the ability to influence the people and convience them to do what ordinarily the would not want to do.
The governor who noted that the theme for the workshop/seminar, “The Role Of the Traditional Institution in Socio-Economic Mobilization of the People In Delta State” is most apt, said, governent will always support the traditional institution to help stabilize the economic development of the communities for peaceful and harmonous relationship between government and the people.
Governor Okowa expressed worries that due to civiliazation, braekdown of family and cultural values, authorities and powers of some Royal fathers are being challenged by some misled youths in the society. He noted that this has pose some challanges to governance.
The governor cautioned that, those who fight traditional rulers, do so at their own peril. According to him, Royal fathers do not have tenure elongation, the cannot not be wished away, their position of authority is bestowed on them by God. “If you want to do well in life, do not underrate or undermine the power of the traditional institution”. He stated.
While commending traditional rulers in the state for helping to fight crime by cautioning their subjects, Governor Okowa urge them to help promote the Private Property Protection Law which is very important for development to thrive in the communities. He noted that the issue of illegal extortions popularly known as ‘Deve’ from investors and property developers by youths in some communities should be stopped and ruled out.
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman, Delta State University Governing Council, Abraka, noted that traditional rulers though are not partisan politicians, they play political role in the administration of their kingdoms and opinions to government.
Prof. Oyovbaire, said though the constitution of the country does make provision for traditional rulers input, the country cannot be govern effectively without the imputs and influence of traditional rulers.
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Royal Majesty, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor 11, the Obi of Owa, thanked the state governor for recognizing the importance of traditional rulers in the state. He noted that, the state government has always seen traditional rulers as partners in progress and has given them a sense of belonging.
The Obi of Owa appealed to the governor to continue to improve the condition of traditional rulers in the state to complement their efforts in promoting peace and projecting governance in the state.
Delivering a Lecture on “The Role of Traditional Rulers on the Socio-Economic Mobilization of the People of Delta State”, Prof. (Mrs) Rosemary Okoh, of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, posited that, traditional rulers must be united in the resistance against the take over of their land by foreigners.
Prof. Okoh, noted that, social capital will fail to deliver on socio-economic mobilization where traditional rulers betray the trust of the people or where rulers use bridging and linking social relations for nepotism, corruption or suppression of viewpoints of certain members or groups.
While the Coordinator, National Open University, Emevor Study Centre, Dr. Mathias Jarikre, noted that in spite of constitutional silence on the role of traditional institutions in Nigeria, the traditional ruler in contemporary Nigeria is highly revered as custodian of traditional and cultural heritage of the people and repository of wisdom and knowledge with huge and considerable socio-political and economic influence.
Dr. Jarikre, called on traditional rulers to mobilize their people in voting for good governance. He noted that, government is consciously aware that in carrying out its daunting constitutional responsibilities of providing social infrastructure, economic development security and peace, the role of traditional ruler is essential and critical for social mobilization.