The Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi, has said constitutional roles for the traditional rulers will enhance development at the grassroots in the country.
The monarch said creating such responsibilities for the traditional rulers by the federal government will contribute to the development of their respective communities.
Oba Aladesuyi who spoke during an event to mark his first year coronation anniversary held in Ijan Ekiti also advised the government on a long-term approach to ameliorating the effect of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
At the well attended event, no fewer than 10 eminent Nigerians were awarded honorary chieftaincy titles while almost 20 sons and daughters of the town were given awards of recognition for their contributions to the development of the community, Ekiti state and Nigeria.
The first class monarch said, “I think we need the federal government to give traditional rulers the opportunity to rule and serve since they are the closest to the people and their subjects and as custodians of tradition and culture of the people giving them constitutional roles will not be out of place. This will no doubt enhance development at the grassroots. It will be a kind of complementing whatever the local government administrators are doing.
“As a ruler in whatever guise, there must be some level or sort of defined responsibility attached to such an office, that is why the roles are necessary.
“There must be some things outlined for the person to do as his responsibility, so I think it is apt for the government to give to traditional rulers constitutional roles and give them opportunity to do things they are supposed to do.
“These roles and responsibilities needed to be specified in the constitution. For example, we know what the government and its other arms do. The executive, legislative and judiciary, even the federal, state and local government as levels of government have their jurisdictions, their roles and responsibilities are well defined, if it is scaled down you will realise that the rulers too should have their responsibilities working with government of which I think is normal, for government to look in this direction”.
