From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi, has appealed to the federal government to give constitutional roles to traditional rulers in the country, saying it is a sure way to enhance development at the grassroots.
Oba Aladesuyi who reminded that monarchs are the closest to the people said such specific roles to traditional rulers would afford them to contribute more to their communities and also complement the works of local government administrators.
The fist class monarch made the appeal at the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary held in Ijan-Ekiti.
Oba Aladesuyi who said that government could do more than distributing food palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy, suggested that government can develop the economies of the people by teaching them how to fish, saying it would go a long way in reducing the harsh effects of the subsidy removal on them.
“I think we need the federal government to give traditional rulers the opportunity to rule and serve since they are the closest to the people and their subjects and as custodians of tradition and culture of the people giving them constitutional roles will not be out of place. This will no doubt enhance development at the grassroots. It will be a kind of complementing whatever the local government administrators are doing.
“As a ruler in whatever guise, there must be some level or sort of defined responsibilities attached to such office, that is why the roles are necessary.
“There must be some things outlined for the person to do as his responsibility, so I think it is apt for the government to give to traditional rulers constitutional roles and give them opportunity to do things they are supposed to do.
“These roles and responsibilities needed to be specified in the constitution. For example, we know what government and its other arms do. The executive, legislative and judiciary, even the federal, state and local government as levels of government have their jurisdictions, their roles and responsibilities are well defined, if it is scaled down you will realise that the rulers too should have their responsibilities working with government of which I think is normal, for government to look in this direction”.
Speaking on the palliatives being rolled out by the federal government to the people, the monarch said: “Government can do much more to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and its attendant economic hardship on the people.
“This goes beyond food items and others being rolled out because development comes with a lot of things. I had earlier suggested cottage industries, cassava, palm oil mill and stuffs like that, these are some of the things that can be used to develop the nation and its people. People need to be taught how to fish.”
The monarch advised the people of the community to avoid rancour and live together in peace saying “there is nothing better than that and we will all do well living together in unity.”
He urged the people to look forward to the continued peace in the community, local industries and lots of development in years to come.
The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Olojudo of Ido- Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro and Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Festus Olatunde remarked that Oba Aladesuyi has brought development to the town since he ascended the throne of his forefathers a year ago.
“We urge you to continue to support him as you have been doing in the last one year.”
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Gbonyin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oluwadamilare Ajayi said Oba Aladesuyi has brought peace and unity in the community since he ascended the throne.
“Before his enthronement, the community had been in total darkness for over ten years due to lack of electricity, there was disunity among the people of the community. But we thank God who has used him to reunite the people and bring about development to the community.
“The people are happy to celebrate the monarch and they are contributing their quota to the development of the community because peace has returned to the town. We have witness great development in just one year of his reign.”