Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, has presented Staff of Office to 29 new traditional rulers from the 17 council areas of the State, charging them to refrain from acts inimical to the growth and interest of their communities and the state government.
The governor explained that the Ezeship stool represents the fourth tier of government and urged them to be true custodians of the culture and traditions of the people as well as take responsibility for the security and economic development of their communities.
In his words:“It is your duty to bring to government’s knowledge anything that will improve the lives of the people.”
He further urged the new traditional rulers to join forces with government in sensitizing the people and ensure the implementation of the relevant COVID-19 protocols in order to break the chain of community transmission of the disease in the state.
The governor also warned against subversive acts which are capable of tarnishing the image of the traditional institution and create clogs in the wheel of progress of the state.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Gabriel Onyendilefu, noted that the event marks the end of a painstaking journey of electing traditional rulers in the various communities. He charged them to live in peace and harmony with members of their communities as well as work with the state government.
Onyendilefu urged the newly installed traditional rulers to attract and support developmental projects which align with the aspirations of the people and government vision and programs aimed at ensuring the progress of the state.
Speaking to journalists, the chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Ndubuisi Nwabekee, also charged the newly inaugurated traditional rulers to ensure peace in their various communities while maintaining the customs and traditions of their various communities.
The monarch encouraged them to devise means of settling certain community disputes before it escalates to chaotic proportions.
He said; “I urge them to keep to the tenets of this institution and be loyal to the government that has recognized them today.”
Eze Nwabekee also charged them to organize town union programmes and help youths to achieve greater successes in their chosen areas of engagement as well as be receptive to the feelings of their people.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the traditional ruler of Ahiaba Ubi Autonomous Community, Eze Dr. Okezie Amalaha, expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour given them to lead their various communities.
He promised that they will ensure that peace reigns in their various communities and support government policies at the grassroots level.
