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Tag: traditional rulers

  • Traditional rulers discuss insecurity in Nigeria with Prince Charles

    Traditional rulers discuss insecurity in Nigeria with Prince Charles

    The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles met with some traditional leaders to discuss, among other issues, peace and security, and educating the girl-child.

    Prince Charles received the traditional rulers in Abuja on Monday during a visit to Nigeria, the final leg of an eight-day tour to three West African countries.

    The prince and his wife, Princess Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who are visiting together, were in The Gambia and Ghana earlier.

    Speaking with newsmen, following closed-door meeting, the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II said the prince gave a brief summary of discussions held with President Muhammadu Buhari on a range of issues from climate change to demographic explosion.

    Sanusi said that the proper education of the girl-child would address the issue of demographics in the country.

    “We talked about town planning. Now take the north for example We have had a huge demographic explosion in the last 40 to 50 years but we have not yet changed the way we build our houses.

    “So every time there is pressure for housing, the government takes over farmlands. Very soon we will not have enough farmland to feed Kano and we are not going to have grazing routes.

    “We have got to start thinking how we could build vertically so that more families live on one plot, we free up the land, improve the yield on agriculture and begin to confront some of these challenges of demographics.

    “Educating the girl child basically kills so many birds with one stone; we had a conversation around and the whole idea is how to work with the British Government in dealing with these issues and see how we can learn from each other’s experience,” the Emir said.

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II also told newsmen that the issues of human trafficking and youth empowerment were discussed adding that “I made my commitments”.

    The seven traditional leaders received by Prince Charles are the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe; Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

    Others are the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II; Shehu of Borno, Gabai El-Kanemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    Prince Charles and Princess Camilla would visit Lagos on Wednesday, where they will engage the business community on a wide range of businesses, trade and investment.

     

  • Kaduna: Traditional rulers commend Malam el-Rufai

    Traditional rulers in Kaduna State have commended the government of Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai for the curfew in the State, and also for the visits to hospitals and affected locations and the state broadcast made by the Governor following unrest in Kasuwan Magani.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the traditional rulers made the commendation on Tuesday during a high profile Security Council meeting Governor el-Rufai held with heads of security agencies and the traditional rulers in the state.
    At the meeting, HRH Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau, commiserated with the government over the Kasuwan Magani unrest, and appealed to all communities in the state to strive to pave in peace.


    In his speech, Governor el-Rufai commiserated with the traditional rulers over the abduction of the Agom Adara, asserting that “it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequence for the perpetrators”.
    The Security Council regrets the inconvenience of curfew in the state to residents and noted that the obligation to secure lives and property necessitates the uncompromising approach.
    Security council selectively varied the 24-hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis and other parts of the state with immediate effect, and government said it will continue to monitor the situation, and make further announcements based on the guidance of the security agencies.
    Governor el-Rufai acknowledged the efforts of the Royal Highnesses present at the meeting in the cause of peace in the state, saying “In particular, we are grateful to their Royal Highnesses, the Emir of Zazzau and the Esu Chikun for their sterling leadership and counsel”.
    “As you are aware, there have been breaches of the peace since Thursday, 18th October 2018, when unrest broke out in Kasuwan Magani. The state government promptly imposed a curfew in the area. The loss of lives was staggering, and the damage to lives and livelihoods considerable.
    “A brazen crime was committed. We owe the victims justice, and our state respite from the impunity of those who have arrogated to themselves the authority to wantonly violate lives and the rights of others.
    “Your Royal Highnesses, we all have a supreme obligation to overcome the legacy of strife in Kaduna State. We are not the only diverse place on this planet. And we must not hold on to a legacy of violence and division.
    “The first ethno-religious clash in the state which happened in Kasuwan Magani in 1981, led to the loss of innocence. Since then, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequence for the perpetrators.
    “It is time to firmly persuade them otherwise. It is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support firm actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose and to freely practice their faith anywhere.
    “No group or individual will be allowed to veto or constrain the rights that the Constitution has guaranteed,” the Governor stated.
     

  • Killings: Buhari arrives Zamfara, to hold peace talks with traditional rulers, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara, presided over a town hall meeting in continuation of his tour of troubled areas across the country.

    The President in company of his aides landed at the Gusau helipad at about 10.40a.m after taking off from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua international airport Katsina.

    The governors of Sokoto and Kebbi states, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and Atiku Bagudu respectively, some cabinet ministers, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials were among those that received the president.

    President Buhari reviewed a parade mounted by the Army and Air Force.

    He is scheduled to address traditional rulers and other stakeholders during the visit, and condole with families and communities that suffered from various forms of violent crimes in the state.

    Zamfara has witnessed cases of attacks by armed bandits with hundreds of innocent people killed and property worth billions of naira carted away or destroyed.

    The recent attack by bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government area of the state left over 50 people dead.

    One of the most notorious bandits, Tsoho Buhari, popularly referred to as Buhari Daji, was recently killed by a repentant cattle rustler in the state.

    Details shortly…

  • Alaafin cautions traditional rulers over herdsmen, farmers crisis

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola AdeyemI on Sunday cautioned traditional rulers across the country over the incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

    Oba Adeyemi who is undoubtedly the longest serving in the country insisted that unguarded public statements from the traditional stool can worsen the clashes that is now becoming a national crisis.

    He sounded the note of warning in a special statement issued and signed by him and sent to TheNewsGuru.com on Sunday.

    Read full statement below:

    HERDSMEN CRISES: NEED FOR CAUTION BY SOME TRADITIONAL RULERS

    With every sense of modesty with truth however, I make bold to say that among the first class traditional rulers in the country, I stand as the one longest on throne so far. On this statement, I stand to be corrected.

    With that, it follows that I have acquired experience more than any other traditional ruler across the country in relation to traditional rulership and political development of the country especially with regard to crisis resolution within the polity whether ethnic or religious.

    It is on this note that I am appealing to all traditional rulers in the country especially those who are relatively new on the exalted throne, to be cautious and indeed circumspect in their public utterances especially in the trying period of the country’s sovereignty and national unity.

    The greatest challenge facing the country at the moment is the herdsmen otherwise known as Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders. The recent Benue state experience is too fresh to be forgotten so soon.

    While it is true that there had been co habitation between the Fulanis and indigenes in various communities in the country, this however is with the Fulani herdsmen not wearing political colouration.

    For instance, the use of firearms including AK 47 gun to protect cattle is a complete novelty to what hitherto used to be a business endeavour. In those days stick was the only weapon with which the breeders directed their cattle. When was it the practice that Fulani breeders would arm themselves to teeth just to protect their cattle. In the past, part of the guidance which breeders gave to their cattle was to ensure that they did not destroy farm crops along their ways.

    But today with the arm at their disposal, some Fulani breeders choose to target green leaves of farmers’ crops as good protein for their cattle and therefore lead their cattle aggressively to that direction. The big question therefore is that how do those cattle breeders come across the sophisticated weapons with which they arm themselves as if they are going to war. This is the task before the various security agencies to unravel in the interest of peace and unity of the country.

    It is unfortunate that some highly placed traditional rulers should see the recent Benue incident as a justified reprisal quoting fictitious and imaginary figures of similar incident that had happened at another neighbouring state.

    It is not only laughable but indeed ridiculous that as many as Eight hundred Fulanis with an imaginary one million cows would have been killed in one single attack without any documentations or report.

    The level of mass communication in the country had gone beyond that dark age in sophistication and modernity.

    The hands of any responsible traditional rulers should not be seen in any religious or ethnic justification in the present situation. Rather the institution of traditional rulers should use both individuals and collective efforts to quell the crisis from further escalation. That is what is expected of royal paternity.

    Africa and Diaspora are watching Nigeria; the United Nation is watching us; President Muhammad Buhari has been boxed into a cul-de-sac by his kith kin the Fulani herdsmen. Let us help him to get of the quagmire.

    If the home of the Fulani is as far West as North of Sierra Leone, i.e Futa Jalon Hills; and their kith and kin live in the cities and they make a substantial population in the Northern Nigeria townships, equity demands that the government at all levels and the people as citizens; should proffer a solution that makes peace that platform and goodwill, its anchor. We have managed in Oyo area to ensure that the cattle herdsmen are kept in proper place and the farmer’s crops and interest are adequately protected. Dialogue is the first option. War destroys Peace is to be preferred!

     

    IKU BABA YEYE

    Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, JP, CFR, LL.D, SAP, D.LLTS, DPA

     

     

  • 2019: Politicians, traditional rulers, others must undergo drug test – Sanusi

    2019: Politicians, traditional rulers, others must undergo drug test – Sanusi

    …says ‘I am ready to submit myself too’

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called for a law that would compel public officers and traditional rulers to undergo drug test in the country.

    He made the call at the Senate Roundtable on drug abuse held in Kano on Monday.

    The event was organised by the Senate to address drug abuse epidemic in the country.

    He said the call was necessary in order to ensure that anybody was not allowed to hold political office and traditional leadership positions.

    “I am ready to submit myself for the drug test.

    “I suggest that ministers, governors and traditional rulers should go for drug test because when youths understand that they cannot be governors, ministers or senators if they are drug addicts, they will be into their senses.

    “The country is facing a great danger because the fight against drug abuse has to be taken seriously if we are to succeed,’’ he said.

    While calling for effective implementation of the laws against drug abuse in the country, the first class traditional ruler also urged the Senate to ensure proper funding of all agencies charged with the responsibility to enforce the laws.

    “We are deceiving ourselves if we don’t believe that we are part of the problem,’’ Sanusi said.

    Besides, the emir called for the establishment of modern rehabilitation centres for victims of drug abuse in the six geo-political zones of the country.

    He said when established, the centres should be equipped with necessary facilities and personnel to enable them take care of the teeming numbers of victims of the drug abuse.

    He said the measure was necessary in order to ensure that those addicts were rehabilitated and trained in various skills to enable them be reintegrated into the society.

    He, however, called for adequate funding of the centres to enable them operate effectively and serve the purpose for which they are established.

     

    NAN

     

  • Biafra: I’ll meet Nnamdi Kanu, other traditional rulers to resolve crisis – Oluwo

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, on Friday said as the father of all Nigerians, he is ready to play his role by meeting with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and other agitation groups to address some of their demands and restore peace in the troubled region.

    The monarch spoke on Friday public lecture and conferment of the Distinguished Service Award on the Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Wunmi Faniran. condemned the spate of violence in the South-East as a result of IPOB agitation, saying that it was vital for parties involved to put the lives of the people and the nation first.

    The Oluwo condemned the spate of violence in the South-East as a result of IPOB agitation, insisting that it was vital for parties involved to put the lives of the people and the nation first.

    The monarch who once said President Muhammadu Buhari was his son said it was unfortunate that the regional crisis was coming at a time the country was blessed with a “competent President (Muhammadu Buhari)” who was ready to fight corruption that had placed the country backward for many years.

    In his words: “As a father of all Nigerians, I’m visiting the Southeast soon to mediate for the sustenance of ‘one Nigeria’ because when elders are in the market, a child’s head shouldn’t drop. I will personally meet the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and some notable traditional rulers and I’m optimistic it (the meeting) will yield peace. It is unfortunate the (IPOB) threat came at a time we have a serious government ready to fight the genocidal disease (corruption) killing this nation. It must be addressed.”

    “The best the agitators should be doing is praying for this government and (making) not secession threat. The country has been in mess owing to maladministration. Such has promoted the proliferation of militant syndicates in Nigeria. If the government is responsible, the spate of insurgencies will be decimated.”

  • Desist from rumors or face consequences, Masari warns traditional rulers

    Desist from rumors or face consequences, Masari warns traditional rulers

    Governor Aminu Masari on Saturday warned people that specialised in spreading falsehood and rumours to immediately desist from doing so or face the consequences.

    Masari gave the warning while receiving the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumuni Kabir who paid him Sallah homage at his residence.

    According to him, anybody caught spreading false information no matter how highly placed will be dealt with.

    “Nobody or group of persons has threatened my life over my action or policies as being speculated by agents of doom.

    “My administration is ready to execute programmes and policies that have direct bearing in the lives of Katsina citizens.

    “I am ready to do what is right for the overall interest of the people of the state.” he said

    The governor said that his administration was ready to accept constructive criticism or advice or recommendation from people of the state so as to move the state forward.

    He said that people who hide under the social media or openly abusing him would now be handled with iron hand.

    Masari, who spoke against recent attack of his leadership style by an Islamic Scholar, name with held said that he would not be intimidated by the comments of his critics.

    He pledged to unfold his administration’s plan to reposition and restructure the state during the 30th Anniversary Celebration at the end of September.

    “Anybody, who has something to say, will be allowed on that day to say his mind about my leadership style,” he said.

    Earlier, the Emir of Katsina, Kabir, has observed that there was serious falling standard of education in the state.

    “From my observation, the quality of Foundation education (primary education) is going down because some of the teachers completely lacked the method to teach the pupils.

    “Many of the teachers at the primary level don’t have the techniques or methods to impact the knowledge to the pupils.” he said

    Kabir recommended that holders of the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and graduates, especially of education courses should be employed to teach the pupils.

    The Emir called on well to do citizens of the state to come forward and assist the primary schools with modern teaching materials.

     

    NAN

  • Our security agencies have failed us – Gov Bello

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has lambasted security agencies, saying they have failed the nation in their responsibilities.

    Advocating the shift of more security roles to traditional rulers, Governor Bello said he has lost confidence in the security agencies over their failure to tackle pockets of insecurity across the country, particularly Niger State in recent times.

    Governor Bello said because of the failure of the security agencies, the government should empower traditional rulers by giving them more security votes to tackle the security challenges.

    “I support that we go back to traditional ways of security in our various communities because traditional system performed better in the past and they can do better now if they are given more powers.

    So, I recommend that more powers be given to traditional rulers on security,” the governor declared.

    The governor, who spoke when Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, paid him Sallah homage at Government House, yesterday, said despite the huge amount of money his administration was giving security agencies in the state monthly, the wave of crime was on the increase and the agencies have failed to make the state safe.

    His words: “We spend a lot of money on security but we do not have a safe environment. In Niger State, we spend N100 million every month on security and I am sure that if we spend a fraction of that money on traditional rulers, we will get better results than what we have now.”

    Bello lamented the level of insecurity in the state and called on all residents to rise to the challenge by personally tackling the wave headway instead of depending solely on the security agencies.

    He called on both Christians and Muslims to embark on fervent prayers to overcome the security challenge, saying: “More than ever before, we need a lot of prayers in Niger State because we are now faced with a new wave of security challenge that is unusual.

    “There is a new wave of kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and clashes. It is a new wave that seems to be engulfing the state. People have decided to take laws into their hands and kill because they have conflict with others and this clearly shows that we are in trouble because these happenings are alien to us.”

    The governor then called on the traditional rulers to enlighten their subjects on the need to be more security conscious and report any strange movement in their areas to the appropriate quarters.

  • Traditional institution plays key, pivotal role in nation building -Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, says traditional institution plays key and pivotal role in nation building all over the world.

    Ogunwusi stated this as Chairman of the “Traditional Rulers Day” activity to mark the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Rivers in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said the institution was indispensable that it could not be ignored or society could not do without it was part of nature.

    “When you step into any community to do anything, they are the first people you meet to consult with as leaders; and within the twinkle of eye, they coordinate the whole people.

    ” Thing is, they know their people, they coordinate basic developmental activities in their domains and direct affairs in the communities, ” he said.

    According to Ogunwusi, the institution works closely with politicians and government because it is very important in decision making.

    “If we all know that we have our role to play and as leaders, we must lead by example and not be found wanting in any way in the society.

    ” We must lead by example in our conducts, in the way we talk and act for our subjects to follow. If we do this, the society will be a better place,” he said.

    The Ooni said that traditional rulers had more important roles in the betterment of the society than government.

    “So, we should see government as our partners in progress. We have our role, they have their role. We are not competitors.

    “The institution should work as a formidable force in pursuit of peace, harmony and nation building in Nigeria,” he said.