Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has stressed the need for a legislation that would strengthen the role of traditional rulers as custodians, to revive the cultural values and norms that have eluded the society.
The governor was speaking at a programme held in honour of Dr Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, who has been conferred with the position of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee and Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
He noted that such issues could be better solved by empowering the traditional institutions.
While acknowledging the neglect of some of these traditions as partly responsible for the problems the country, the governor maintained that there must be a review of the system with more powers handed to the traditional leaders to enable them checkmate the vices that have eroded the family, society and government.
Sani Bello who said hard work, commitment and dedication to duty were hallmark of success, decried the failure of youth whom he said preferred to engage in drugs and other vices.
He noted that the new Senior Advocate of Nigeria that was being celebrated had exhibited the spirit of hard work, discipline and good character to attain his present elevation.
The governor said the state is proud of Barrister Mohammed being a Nigerlite and about the youngest SAN in the country, pointing out that attaining this height will motivate other younger ones who work through the path of success with discipline, hard work, commitment and above all prayers.
According to Sani-Bello, the conferment of SAN on Mohammed had increased the number of SANs in the state.
This feat, the governor said, would afford government the opportunity to synergise with them in order to articulate some demands of the state and consequently present them to the Federal government for the growth and development of the State.
“At this point ,my doors are opened for discussion on how we can closely work together to reclaim and regain our rightful place as a state, which will have to be now with this number of SAN in the State”, he added.
The newly conferred SAN, who dedicated his new position to humanity said his elevation is the greatest achievement he has attained so far in life.
He said though the elevation translates to additional responsibility, it will spur him to serve humanity more.
Guests at the occasion included Prof. Muhammad Kuta Yahaya, former Secretary to the Niger State Government who was also the Chairman of the Occasion; former Presidential candidate, Mrs Sarah Jibrilu and a senior legal luminary, Abraham Yisa of Summit Chambers Minna.
Others were representative of the Etsu Nupe, Y Y Sani and the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro (Kitoro III), who showered encomiums on the new SAN and urged him to do more as they prayed for him to succeed.
Indigenous cultural troupes thrilled the guests.
