The Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated the 8th Council of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, charging royal fathers to take charge of the security of their respective communities through partnership with the government across all levels.
This was even as the Chairman of the Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Autonomous Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, assured that traditional rulers in the state would key into the administration’s vision, mobilize against insecurity and ensure the success of the government.
Governor Mbah, who inaugurated the council on Monday at the House of Chiefs Chamber of the Enugu State House of Assembly Complex, Enugu, stressed that the functions of the traditional institution go beyond being custodias of culture and tradition to fostering peace and unity as well as serving as the eyes and ears of the government.
“We are also taking this opportunity to remind ourselves that beyond being the custodians of our tradition and culture, you are also the ears and eyes of the government in your various communities so that when we talk about security challenges we are having in communities, we expect to work with you in partnership to address those security challenges,” he said.
The governor further enjoined the royal fathers to work closely with the government and their subjects, serving as agents of positive change in the communication process in a way that their subjects would understand and appreciate the policies and programmes of the government on education, infrastructure, healthcare, security, and their general wellbeing.
Highlighting some of the impactful projects the administration was executing across communities in the state, Governor Mbah explained that the government was taking deliberate steps to ensure that no child of learning age is denied quality education through the 260 smart green schools across the 260 electoral wards, adding that education, training of youths on skills acquisition and human capacity building that the state had already embarked were serving as the greatest weapons against insecurity.
He said the robust programmes of the administration would be difficult to accomplish if traditional rulers continue to live outside their communities since they are the eyes and ears of the government who have roles to play in community development.
While congratulating the new council, the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Okey Ogbodo explained that the process leading to the selection of the council was based on fidelity, integrity and commitment to the robust development programmes of the government to the people, saying the criteria was in line with section 3(1) of the state traditional rulers law.
Reacting, the Chairman of the council pledged not to disappoint the state as they would continue to ensure the success of the administration.
Igwe Asadu, while describing the governor as an agent of positive change whose landmark achievements cut across communities, said the first state-financed project in the history of their community was instituted by the Mbah administration.
“The governor said he would provide water in Enugu within 180 days, and he made it happen. He talked about roads, you can see it happening everywhere. He talked about smart schools. I’m very honoured that, that was the first time my town received anything from the government,” he further disclosed.
