By Ijeoma Amah
The Governor of Abia State , Dr. Alex Otti has stated the need for revival of traditional institutions inorder to enhance more effective service delivery to people at the grassroots and achieve the vision of a New Abia.
Governor Otti made this known on Wednesday at JAAC Secretariat Umuahia while officially flagging off a Seven days Capacity Building Workshop organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for traditional rulers across the state on the theme, “Revitalizing Traditional Leadership For A New Abia.”
The Governor who was ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba described the workshop as apt and advised the traditional rulers to approach the workshop with every sense of commitment.
“This workshop is one you must approach with every sense of commitment. I am quite confident that at the end of this 7 day event, we will be able to look back and assure ourselves that indeed, there was need for the traditional institution to be revitalized.
“This workshop is timely, it’s auspicious, it’s one that will be able to offer us opportunity to take a holistic view, do a thorough retrospection, look inside to know, where are we now? where are we supposed to be and what are we expected to do in order to partner with the Governor to change the negative narrative and give back to the new Abia?” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti noted that over the years, the traditional institution has been inundated with several challenges that continued to make them unable to fulfill and execute the mandate that is bestowed upon them.
He opined that the traditional institution is a revered institution known for mediating between the people and the state, maintaining law and order, resolving conflicts and fostering national unity.
He regretted that the traditional institution which is supposed to be highly respected is today consumed by greed, avarice and given to conferring chieftaincy titles to the highest bidders and people of questionable character and stressed the need for revitalization of the revered institution.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu said the essence of the workshop which would take place in the 17 LGAs is to equip traditional rulers for the onerous task of advancing the visionary leadership of Goverñor Alex Chioma Otti.
He expressed confidence that the programme would usher in a new era of traditional leadership in the state
where traditional rulers would play their roles of maintaining peace, administering justice in the communities and mobilizing their subjects for good governance among others.
While making a presentation on the topic” the objective of the traditional rulers training and expected outcome”,the Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Oge Maduka pointed out that the training seeks to acheive a renewed, re-energized and re-equipped traditional leadership structure that compliments the development goals of Abia.
She appreciated his Excellency Governor Alex Otti for endorsing the programme thereby acknowledging the role traditional rulers must play to achieve his vision of a new state.
Lady Maduka encouraged Royal Fathers to participate fully in the training as the expected outcome will include, stronger and ethical leadership, improved conflict resolution at community level ,improved community secretary, Greater synergy with government structure and others.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah while commending the Governor for putting up the workshop assured that the traditional rulers would attend the workshop as scheduled as well as put into practice, lessons derived from the workshop.
He said that the traditional rulers are appreciative of the Governor’s commitment to their welfare which he said is unprecedented since the creation of Abia State and thanked Governor Alex Otti for his sustained honour and respect to the traditional institution in Abia state.
