The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has presented staff of office to four monarchs in Southern Kaduna last Thursday, advising them to work towards prompting education within their domains.
The new monarchs are the Chief of Fadan Ayu Chiefdom in Sanga local government, His Highness Alhaji Halidu Ibrahim Ayu; the Chief of Godogodo Chiefdom in Jema’a local government, His Highness Reverend Habila Sa’idu and the Chief of Barde Chiefdom also in Jema’a local government, His Highness Njebi Daniel Lemson
While congratulating the new chiefs for their appointments, Dr. Balarabe called on them to remember that their chiefdoms consist of diverse peoples, urging them to “be fair to all and sundry, irrespective of their faith and cultural inclinations”.
The Deputy Governor stated that traditional rulers in Nigeria are not just symbols of tradition but ambassadors of peace, law maintainers and propagators of government policies and programs.
Dr Balarabe therefore called on them not to disappoint their people and the government that entrusts them with this responsibility.
“Nigeria is a heterogeneous society. This is an important resource that we need to manage well as a country. Our rulers need to look beyond being tribal and small community leaders, to bigger game players where contributions of diverse peoples are harnessed for greater gains.
“But many leaders in Nigeria have narrowed their canvass to fields commanded by tribal warlords. This perhaps reflects on some of the condemnable communal clashes we have had in Nigeria in our recent past,” she said.
She stressed that development can only be attained when there is peace and understanding among the people, calling on the monarchs to serve their people through building cohesive structures of development as opposed to the colonial service of divisiveness for the benefit of the colonial masters.
Dr. Balarabe stated that the Kaduna state has strengthened the traditional institutions to make it more responsive to the development needs of the state.
“In consultation with the traditional institutions, the state government has passed 2021 Kaduna state traditional institutions law to enhance the status of our traditional rulers, recognize the diversity in our people and reflect current democratic reality,’’ she said.
The Deputy Governor explained that as part of the reforms in the traditional councils, the law provides for permanent and pensionable appointments for scribes of Emirates and Chiefdoms under the Local Government Service Board.
According to her, the law also stipulates minimum educational qualification of a National Diploma for secretaries of emirates and chiefdoms in the state.
‘’We believe that it is long overdue to end the colonial Native Authority styled administration still going on in our traditional councils and improve their quality of service,’’ she added.
Dr Balarabe enjoined the monarchs to take the education of children in their domains very seriously.
‘’Education is the catalyst for development in the world of today. Traditional rulers are placed at the vantage position to ensure that all children within school going age- bracket are not seen loitering the streets in their communities during learning hours.
“Remember that we have a law that will sanction parents who keep their children out of school. You will therefore be helping government and your people if recalcitrant parents are brought to book,’’ she reminded.
