The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called for the continued involvement of traditional rulers in nation building efforts in ways that would create conditions for more effective and efficient peace building and conflict prevention.
The minister on behalf of the FCT Administration presented a staff of office to the Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro II who has been crowned by the kingmakers as the 5th Sarki who emerged following the death of his father on August 25, 2017 after a 41-year reign.
The minister also stated that in the collective resolve and respect for the traditional institution, the FCT Administration conveyed a letter of appointment to Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro II as a second class traditional ruler and the 5th Sarkin Bwari, in October 2017.
Aliyu 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 did make possible, great cohesion and sustained the development of political institutions that governed hitherto diverse peoples.
“I want to state unequivocally that concerning 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 peacebuilding, peace-making, and conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria,” she said.
The minister while lamenting that the roles of traditional rulers would not be possible without constitutionally acknowledging their relevance, therefore, called on the three tiers of government to pass legislation that recognises the country’s traditional rulers as stakeholders and instruments of conflict management and peacebuilding.
She reiterated that the staff of the office was not just a symbol of authority, but also an instrument to promote peacebuilding and conflict management, especially in the face of increasing insecurity in various parts of the country.
The minister warned that the FCT administration would not spare any traditional ruler that fails to live up to this expectation, and aids and abets 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 custodians 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, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, in his remarks, described the event as significant in the history of Bwari chiefdom, while charging the new Sarkin Bwari on the safety and security of his domain.
