…Seeks constitutional role for traditional rulers
The Sarkin Bwari, Awwal Musa Ijakoro II on Saturday, received the Staff of Office from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), represented by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
Ijakoro emerged the fifth Sarkin Bwari after his selection by kingmakers on October 24 2017. His emergence followed the death of his father, Musa Ijakoro which occurred on August 25th 2017. Late Ijakoro reigned for 41-year.
A statement by the minister’s special adviser on media, Austine Elemue sought for continued involvement of the traditional institution in nation-building and in order to create condition for more effective and efficient peace building as well as conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the FCT Administration had conveyed a letter of appointment to Ijakoro II as 2nd class traditional ruler and the 5th Sarkin Bwari, in October 2017.
“Today’s ceremony is to formally present the staff of office to him in continuation of the legacies of his forebears, in the hope that he will provide good leadership, respect constituted authorities and promote harmonious relationships and respect for all tribes and inhabitants of Bwari community and its environs,” it reads.
The minister reminded graded chiefs and district heads that traditional rulers in both pre-colonial and post-colonial eras contributed immensely to the formation, extension, greatness, and promotion of good relationships among different kingdoms and empires across Nigeria.
“The traditional institution has brought to bare great cohesion that have sustained the development of political institutions that governed hitherto diverse peoples.
“I want to state unequivocally that with respect to social control, peace and conflict management, there is a strong body of evidence that traditional rulers, though of varied cultures and backgrounds, remain strikingly relevant in our society.
“I therefore recommend continued involvement of our traditional institutions in nation-building efforts in ways that would create conditions for more effective and efficient peace building, peace-making and conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria,” Aliyu stated.
She lamented that the role of traditional rulers would be limited without constitutionally acknowledging their relevance and called on the three tiers of government to pass legislations that would recognise the country’s traditional rulers as stakeholders and instruments of conflict management and peace building.
Aliyu reiterated that the staff of office was not only a symbol of authority but also an instrument for promoting peace building and conflict management, especially in the face of increasing insecurity in various parts of the country.
The minister warned that the FCT Administration will not spare any traditional ruler that fails to live up to this expectation, by aiding and abetting criminality in his domain.
“It is not in our character, no matter the level of enticement, to betray the trust bestowed on us. As traditional rulers and the custodian of our traditions, this obligation is even more fundamental.
“Indeed, any betrayal of public trust shall stand condemned and will not be acceptable in the seat of Government where President Muhammadu Buhari is the Governor General,” she warned.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho described the event as significant in the history of Bwari chiefdom and charged the new Sarkin Bwari on safety and security of his domain.
He commended the kingmakers of Bwari chiefdom and the chairman of Bwari Area Council for the peaceful selection process.
Those that graced the occasion included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs and Ona of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunusa and other first class traditional rulers from within and neighbouring states.
Others were wives of governor of Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara states.
