By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Vanguard Newspaper
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]BUJA-THE Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare 11, on Thursday told President Muhammadu Buhari that he was yet to provide the people of Edo State infrastructure development, security, solve the problem of human trafficking as well as complete the Benin-Auchi road.
The natural ruler told the President that the security challenges facing the State were multidimensional and required assistance of the Federal Government.
The Oba of Benin stated this when he, alongside his palace Chiefs, traditional rulers from the state, veterans of the diplomatic service and family members paid a courtesy visit to President Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
He also reminded the President that traditional rulers were yet to be assigned a role in the constitution, adding that as custodians of the people’s tradition and culture, they have the capability of stabilising the polity and ensure that people of different ethnic tribes live in unity.
He said, “Mr. president, what you are yet to do for us includes the areas of more infrastructural development, security, human trafficking and to complete Benin-Auchi road dualization.
“Human trafficking incidents are not reducing what NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) are doing is merely palliative and at best scratching the surface. Some NGOs may even be in business for themselves.
“The Federal Government needs to assist Edo state to develop low to medium scale cluster industries or establish factories in each Local Government Areas, LGAs, to reduce unemployment and prompt urban to rural migration in order to decongest the centre for a very holistic development in Edo state.
“We commend your Excellency in the manner you have been handling security issues in the country. In Edo state, security issues seemed to be multidimensional. In addition to the prevailing criminal activities of cultist killings, kidnappings etc, the activities of the so-called community development associations are crippling the economy of our state even much more.
“The Benin traditional authority has been relentlessly tackling the menace of community development associations that earned for themselves the disreputable name of community destructive associations.
“These networks of groups attack and are systematically destroying the normative and value system of our society and heritage. Their evil practices scare investors away.”
He called for support of the State government, saying, “Our governor and the people of Edo state need more support from the federal government to effectively and decisively tackle the security challenges in our state.
“May I use this opportunity to appeal to your Excellency to kindly assist our state governor in dealing with the security challenges in the state.
“Finally, traditional rulers in the country play stabilising and developmental roles in the country particularly when there is crisis brewing at the grassroots. It is sad that the role of traditional rulers is yet to be reflected in the constitution of the country.
“Nigeria is a country strongly rooted in cultural blues and norms. May I use this opportunity to reassure government that traditional institutions will be used to strengthen the unity and development of Nigeria.
“The traditional institution will encourage Nigerians to go on with one Nigeria. We intend to continue to use culture to foster Nigeria image both in Nigeria and in the comity of nations.”
