By PATIENCE ALIYU

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has acknowledged the role of traditional rulers in the state, presenting all the 1st Class chiefs with brand new official vehicles.

The event, which took place on Thursday in Jos, was organised by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that all the 1st Class chiefs, except those whose stools are still in contention, were presented with brand new jeeps.

While emphasising the importance of the traditional institution, Mutfwang noted that the role of the royal fathers, which included maintaining sanity and sanctity in the society, could never be overemphasised.

He, therefore, urged them to rise up to the occasion and fulfil the expectations of society by shaping and moulding a sane and peaceful society.

“I want to pay my respects today to our traditional rulers, especially the first-class traditional rulers, led by the chairman of the Council of Chiefs and Emirs His Royal Majesty, Da, Jacob Buba, whose cooperation as a council, this government has tremendously enjoyed.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity to begin the process of bringing dignity into the offices of our traditional rulers.

“There is no gain saying that our traditional rulers have become part of the critical leadership structure of modern society.

“They have been there from time immemorial, and even though we have introduced other forms of governance, their critical role as community leaders has never been extinguished.

"If there is a time that we needed traditional rulers to step up and play their critical role in leadership, the time is now, and that is why we believe that we must create the enabling environment for them to discharge their functions effectively.

“That is why when we put heads together as a government, we readily agreed that we should embark on this project of procuring decent vehicles for the 1st Class traditional rulers as the initial step,” the governor said.

Earlier, Mr Ephraim Usman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, commended Mutfwang for giving cognisance to traditional rulers and also meeting the needs of ministry.

“Today’s occasion is another indication of your administration’s fulfilment of your promise of repositioning the traditional institution in the state.

“In order to perform its role of maintaining peaceful coexistence and growth among the people, as you always say sir, the traditional institution has a vital role to play in achieving progress and development in the state.

“That is why since you came on board you have been giving the institution the desired attention and we are saying a big thank you for this benevolence and for the tremendous success this ministry has recorded in many areas,” Usman said.

Responding, Da Buba, lthe Gbong Gwom Jos, commended the governor for the steps taken to alleviate the plight of some of the traditional rulers.

He, however, urged him to look into the contentious seats of traditional rulers in some parts of the state.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, we thank you most sincerely for this gesture and for recognising the traditional institution accordingly.

“We can not say more than thank you, we pray that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide your excellency in the discharge of your responsibilities and the entirety of the government of Plateau also.

“I am happy the Honourable Commissioner has said that some of the unoccupied stools will soon be duly occupied, but we want to appeal that these stools be filled, the royal father said. (NAN)

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