The Maigari of Lokoja, HRM Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, has lent his voice to the call on the federal government to make laws creating constitutional roles for traditional rulers because of their closeness to the people.
Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, made the call in a chat with newsmen as part of the activities to mark his one year on the throne of his forefathers.
The Maigari said his role as a traditional ruler makes him to be accessible to the people, pointing out that the role enables him to have first hand information on what is happening to the people before the government.
The traditional ruler called for roles that would allow the masses to improve their well-being and living standards, insisting that the traditional rulers remain the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition.
He described the office of the Maigari of Lokoja as a big task, but said that because he was born into the royal home with his grandfather and father as former Maigari, he was able to gather knowledge from them that has helped him unite and galvanise the people for development.
“Based on my experience, exposure and as a widely travelled person, having worked in various places, made the task of leading the people an easy task for me.
“To be a good leader, one thing that should come to your mind is that religion and ethnicity should not be a barrier. Accepting everyone as my own has made me achieve the role of uniting and galvanizing the people for development,” he said.
As part of his one-year anniversary, the Maigari said he was divinely inspired to visit health facilities in his domain. He added that the vulnerable are people he so much cherished in life. He insisted that, rather than engaging in merry-making, he visited the sick in hospitals to lend helping hands by donating free drugs and footing their medical bills.
While noting that he encountered terrifying situations at the Federal Teaching Hospital when he visited, the Maigari urged the people to share what they had with the sick and the needy to make society and the world a better place to live.
The Maigari of Lokoja, while paying glowing tribute to the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, pointed out that the blind and the deaf can attest to the fact that the administration is committed to the well-being of the people.
“Governor Ododo is doing extremely well. A lot of good things are happening in the state with salaries and pensions paid as and when due. The governor is accessible to all. I appeal to the governor to continue and maintain his good works by coming closer to the people,” he added.
The commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Yahaya Farouk, described the one year of the Maigari as eventful, with several unprecedented developments attracted to the area.
Similarly, the member, representing Lokoja 1 state constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Tijani Ebaya, said the people of Lokoja are appreciative of the uniting roles the Maigari has displayed since he assumed office.
