Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has charged traditional rulers in the state to make health centres and educational facilities in their respective communities their second palace.

Umahi, while inaugurating the state’s Council of Traditional Rulers at the Government House in Abakaliki on Tuesday, explained that this would help check the declining status of the two important sectors of the society.

He said: “The health centres are now your second palace. You are now the patrons of the health centres.

“You are also in-charge of our educational system. If in any community, I find a child that is not in school, I will not discipline you because you are my fathers, but I will turn my face in the other way and the law will take its course.”

A statement on Thursday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, said Umahi also enjoined the traditional rulers to maintain peace in their various communities.

The governor, who was full of praises for the roles played by the traditional rulers in restoring peace in Ezillo and Ezza/Ezillo communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state, said the monarchs must remain chief security officers of their communities.

His words: “There is no way you can be Ezes (monarchs) and we are having crises, it with will not work. We must know about crises before they even blow up.

“We have the Commissioner for Peace and Conflict Resolution. We also have the Senior Special Assistant on Security. We have the Secretary to State Government. We have the Deputy Governor, we have the Governor. We have the Attorney General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, SAs on Chieftaincy Matters and Attitudinal Change. So you have many channels to get us when you sense any trouble.

“If I hear of cultism in your domain, I will turn my face the other way. Kidnapping and child trafficking must not happen in your domain.”

The state’s newly constituted traditional council has Eze Charles Mkpuma as Chairman.

In their acceptance speech, Eze Mkpuma assured of the total support of the royal fathers to Umahi and his administration.

Photo shows Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi (4th right); Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (3rd right) and Secretary to the State Government Benard Odoh with some monarchs during the inauguration of the State Council of Traditional Rulers by Gov. Umahi in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

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