The Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has said that Traditional Rulers need a place in the proposed amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to help curb the current security challenges in the nation, and that the Institute is working on a position paper to the National Assembly on its upcoming Constitutional Amendments public hearing.
Dr. Ayakoroma stated this when he received the President of the Association of Christian, Muslim, and African Traditional Religion in Nigeria (ACMATRIN), HRM Igwe (Dr.) E. M. C. Aniagu (JP), Igwe Ezeudi Shikagunma, of Ihe Ancient Kingdom in Awgu L.G.A. of Enugu State, in his office in Abuja.
The ES said it was this conviction that informed the organisation of the National Conference for Traditional Rulers in Abuja, in May 2012, noting that under the present Constitution, the royal fathers are helpless, as they cannot wield any meaningful authority over their subjects on issues pertaining to security, assu
ring that NICO is ready to collaborate with well-meaning organisations to profile programmes that will ameliorate the peace and security challenges facing the country.
Earlier in his speech, HRM Igwe Aniago, commended NICO, on the efforts in putting together the national conference with traditional rulers and the upcoming national workshop with local government functionaries, informing that since NICO had proved that given the necessary support, it will carry out its mandate effectively, ACMATRIN was interested in collaborating with the Institute, to organise a National Retreat for Traditional Rulers.
His Majesty Aniago condemned, in its entirety, the rate of crime and criminal activities in the society, saying, “it is an abomination for an elder to stay at home and watch the goat die in its rope,” and that it was the duty of traditional rulers and elders to help in curbing the crime.
The Royal Father later presented an economic tree, representing peace and harmony of our nation, and a book, titled, Crime Prevention in Nigeria: Prevention if Better than Cure, to the ES, to help in the search for sustainable peace and security in the country.
Okatta Theodora
Corporate Affairs Unit