The Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi has advocated constitutional roles for traditional rulers
Oba Aladesuyi who spoke at the grand finale of the weeklong activities marking his first year coronation anniversary urged that giving specific responsibilities to the monarchs will help them to further contribute to the development of their respective communities.
The monarch also joined that such roles would enhance development at the grassroots.
The monarch used the occasion to advised government to fashion out long-term approach to ameliorating the effect of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.
“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 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 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”.
Speaking on the palliatives being rolled out by the federal government, he said, “Government can do much more to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and its attendant economic hardship on the people.
“This goes beyond food items and others being rolled out because development comes with a lot of things. I had earlier suggested cottage industries, cassava, palm oil mill and stuffs like that, these are some of the things that can be used to develop the nation and its people. People need to be taught how to fish”.
The monarch advised the people of the community to avoid rancour and live together in peace because there is nothing better than that and we will all do well living together in unity.
On what should be the expectation of the community in the coming years, he urged them to look forward to the continued peace in the society, local industries and lots of development.
Speaking at the sideline of the event ,the Executive Chairman, Gbonyin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oluwadamilare Ajayi said : ” Before his enthronement, the community had been in total darkness for over ten years due to lack of electricity, there was disunity among the people of the community. But we thank God who has used him to reunite the people and bring about development to the community.
“The people are happy to celebrate the monarch and they are contributing their quota to the development of the community because peace has returned to the town. We have witness great development in just one year of his reign”
The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro and Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Festus Olatunde said Onijan has brought development to the town since he ascended the throne of his forefathers a year ago.
“We urge you to continue to support him as you have been doing in the last one year”.
At the well attended event, no fewer that 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.