To be candid, traditional rulers in the country have been blamed for perpetuating disunity and political crises in some communities by using the youths as fronts with incentives in order to achieve their selfish desire.
But truly, this is far from that high esteem which their positions as traditional rulers demand at all times.
It has been observed that traditional rulers in the country had not been given the respect they deserve by the government at all levels, even though it is believed that they occupy a pride of place in our society.
Undoubtedly, the chieftaincy institution has been politicized which has led not only to the proliferation and prostitution of the institution, but has also constituted a travesty of the rich custom and tradition of the people.
Which is why to many Nigerians, chieftaincy titles are losing their taste and prestige.
The ancient stools have become so polluted and commercialized that any person, who stumbles on money even by dubious means, makes claims to the traditional stool to the utter disregard of traditional values.
It is a well known fact that traditional rulers are mirrors by which the grassroots can be seen.
And so, persons who sit on traditional stools should by that virtue see themselves as fathers of their respective communities.
Also, such persons should in all actions and utterances be guided not by their narrow personal pursuits and ambitions but by the broad need for communal peace and progress at all times.
Again, they must be impartial in the discharge of their onerous duties.
Conversely, for instance, the menace of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the northern part of the country and indeed other states of the federation has been causing serious concern to well meaning citizens of the nation, so much so that it has threatened the peace and unity of the one entity called Nigeria.
Expectedly, the traditional rulers in that zone should have directed their subjects to maintain law and order and to ensure that peace reign in their domains.
It is also said that they would have proffered concrete and properly articulated advice to the government instead of waiting till it is late before offering their fatherly counsel.
Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in this direction.
Afterall, the present administration has been preaching the need for communal peace, unity and co-existence among our neighbours. But the activities of the Boko Haram sect appear to be counter productive.
Obviously, one could not understand why some people want to destroy the framework for peace built by government for the people.
Interestingly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness: Chief Godwin Giniwa has urged the royal fathers, his colleagues to continuously preach the message of peace and unity in their various communities as these are ingredients of development and progress.
Afterall, as custodians of traditions and culture, the continued silence of the traditional rulers in the northern part of the country on the activities of the Boko Haram speaks volume.
Regrettably, these disgruntled youths do not remember that as future leaders, they are expected to fight injustice and any danger that could cause the breach of the peace and unity in the communities and the country at large and not to sell their conscience for money sake.
That is why public analysts say that our traditional institutions have been invaded by overzealous persons and despotic leaders who are only desirous to achieve their selfish gains.
This is obviously in admission of the fact that these dignified personages are not only the repositories of cultural wisdom and moral aesthetics but are also the mirrors of the wishes and aspirations of their various people.
No wonder, most of the traditional rulers have played into the hands of the politicians and were neck-deep in politics.
What is expected of them now is to assist the government in such areas as maintenance of law and order, promotion of purposeful and organized beneficial programmes for their communities that would reduce poverty for the masses.
Similarly, we expect traditional rulers to make conscious efforts to assist law enforcement agents in fishing out criminals within their domains.
It is also believed that with proper sensitization of their subjects, including the youths, the outbreak of crises could be checked.
As government is intending to give appropriate emphasis and recognition to traditional rulers in the country at the on-going review of the 1999 constitution, traditional rulers should be alive to their responsibilities by meeting regularly in order to arrive at definite conclusions or issues of public interest.
Above all, traditional rulers should live by examples, maintain that high esteem which their positions demand at all times.
We look forward to the day when through the activities of traditional rulers, discipline, law and order, effective leadership and social development would be pursued vigorously in the country. ####
To be candid, traditional rulers in the country have been blamed for perpetuating disunity and political crises in some communities by using the youths as fronts with incentives in order to achieve their selfish desire.
But truly, this is far from that high esteem which their positions as traditional rulers demand at all times.
It has been observed that traditional rulers in the country had not been given the respect they deserve by the government at all levels, even though it is believed that they occupy a pride of place in our society.
Undoubtedly, the chieftaincy institution has been politicized which has led not only to the proliferation and prostitution of the institution, but has also constituted a travesty of the rich custom and tradition of the people.
Which is why to many Nigerians, chieftaincy titles are losing their taste and prestige.
The ancient stools have become so polluted and commercialized that any person, who stumbles on money even by dubious means, makes claims to the traditional stool to the utter disregard of traditional values.
It is a well known fact that traditional rulers are mirrors by which the grassroots can be seen.
And so, persons who sit on traditional stools should by that virtue see themselves as fathers of their respective communities.
Also, such persons should in all actions and utterances be guided not by their narrow personal pursuits and ambitions but by the broad need for communal peace and progress at all times.
Again, they must be impartial in the discharge of their onerous duties.
Conversely, for instance, the menace of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the northern part of the country and indeed other states of the federation has been causing serious concern to well meaning citizens of the nation, so much so that it has threatened the peace and unity of the one entity called Nigeria.
Expectedly, the traditional rulers in that zone should have directed their subjects to maintain law and order and to ensure that peace reign in their domains.
It is also said that they would have proffered concrete and properly articulated advice to the government instead of waiting till it is late before offering their fatherly counsel.
Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in this direction.
Afterall, the present administration has been preaching the need for communal peace, unity and co-existence among our neighbours. But the activities of the Boko Haram sect appear to be counter productive.
Obviously, one could not understand why some people want to destroy the framework for peace built by government for the people.
Interestingly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Highness: Chief Godwin Giniwa has urged the royal fathers, his colleagues to continuously preach the message of peace and unity in their various communities as these are ingredients of development and progress.
Afterall, as custodians of traditions and culture, the continued silence of the traditional rulers in the northern part of the country on the activities of the Boko Haram speaks volume.
Regrettably, these disgruntled youths do not remember that as future leaders, they are expected to fight injustice and any danger that could cause the breach of the peace and unity in the communities and the country at large and not to sell their conscience for money sake.
That is why public analysts say that our traditional institutions have been invaded by overzealous persons and despotic leaders who are only desirous to achieve their selfish gains.
This is obviously in admission of the fact that these dignified personages are not only the repositories of cultural wisdom and moral aesthetics but are also the mirrors of the wishes and aspirations of their various people.
No wonder, most of the traditional rulers have played into the hands of the politicians and were neck-deep in politics.
What is expected of them now is to assist the government in such areas as maintenance of law and order, promotion of purposeful and organized beneficial programmes for their communities that would reduce poverty for the masses.
Similarly, we expect traditional rulers to make conscious efforts to assist law enforcement agents in fishing out criminals within their domains.
It is also believed that with proper sensitization of their subjects, including the youths, the outbreak of crises could be checked.
As government is intending to give appropriate emphasis and recognition to traditional rulers in the country at the on-going review of the 1999 constitution, traditional rulers should be alive to their responsibilities by meeting regularly in order to arrive at definite conclusions or issues of public interest.
Above all, traditional rulers should live by examples, maintain that high esteem which their positions demand at all times.
We look forward to the day when through the activities of traditional rulers, discipline, law and order, effective leadership and social development would be pursued vigorously in the country. ####
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