Abia State Government has commenced an eight-day capacity building workshop for Traditional Rulers aimed at revitalizing traditional leadership structures across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
The workshop, which is being held under the theme “Revitalizing Traditional Leaders For a New Abia“, is expected to equip the royal fathers with contemporary leadership skills and deepen their engagement in the State’s transformation agenda.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, on Tuesday, the Governor, Dr Alex Otti described the workshop as timely and necessary, noting that the traditional institution had, over the years, lost its vitality, appeal, and respect.
“The theme for this workshop, “Revitalizing Traditional Leaders For A New Abia”, is very very timely. Of course when you say you want to revitalize something, that means that thing had lost it’s vitality.
“It means there is no appeal, it has lost respect and so to revitalize traditional leadership in line with the vision for a new Abia, we invite everyone to come together to pay the required price in other to make this happen”, the Governor said.
Governor Otti emphasized the revered role of traditional rulers as custodians of culture, agents of peace, and intermediaries between the people and government, especially at the grassroots level.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, noted that traditional leaders are critical to maintaining law and order, resolving conflicts, and promoting government policies in rural communities.
He, however, decried the challenges that have plagued the institution, including infiltration by individuals of questionable character and cases of traditional rulers aiding criminal elements.
“Today we have seen how even Traditional Rulers aid and abate criminality. Many today have joined criminals, many offer protection to criminals and kidnappers, many offer protection to drug barons.
“Today we’ve seen that the Traditional Institution that is supposed to be highly respected is today consumed by greed, avarice giving or conferring titles to the highest bidders, people of questionable character now run to the traditional institution inorder to receive endorsement to continue in their criminality.
“Today we see that corruption has invaded the domain of the traditional institution leading to pervasion of Justice to favour the rich and the who can afford it”, he lamented.
Governor Otti also pointed to corruption, political victimization, and economic hardship as key factors undermining the effectiveness of traditional rulers and expressed optimism that the workshop would serve as a turning point.
“This workshop offers us the opportunity to, do a thorough introspection, look inside, where are we now, where are we supposed to be and what are we expected to do inorder to partner with the State Government inorder to change the negative narrative”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor urged participants to approach the workshop with seriousness and commitment, assuring them of the State Government’s full support.
He expressed optimism that at the end of the eight-day event, the State would reap the gains of a fully revitalized traditional institution.
In his speech, the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba who described the workshop as the first of it’s kind, commended the State government for organizing the workshop and it’s commitment to the welfare of traditional rulers.
Eze Ntoh Mba, while noting the importance of the workshop said it would enhance the knowledge of traditional rulers and keep them abreast with their roles in the new Abia adding that they would imbibe lessons from the workshop.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu said the capacity building workshop for traditional rulers will fully equip them the onerous task of advancing the good dividends of a progressive, positively impactful and purposely driven visionary leadership of Governor Otti.
Prince Nwachukwu expressed optimism that the programme will signpost a new era of traditional rulership in the where traditional rulers will understand their roles in security, youth development, local Justice systems, grassroots mobilisation for good governance.
He noted that the key function of traditional regulars is to maintain peace and administer justice and urged them to uphold the virtues of righteousness.
In her remark, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Oge Maduka, said that the workshop had been designed to cover seven thematic areas including; Ethical Leadership and Code of Conduct, Conflict Resolution and Mediation as well as Roles and Occupation in Grassroot Governance.
She listed other areas to include Security Awareness and Crisis Management, Understanding Drug Abuse and Community Health Challenges , Stress Management and Leadership Wellness as well as Free Health screening.
In an interview with National Ambassador Newspaper, Eze Ndukwe Iko of Okon Aku Autonomous Community, Ohafia LGA expressed optimism that the workshop we are optimistic that the traditional institution in Abia State would witness a positive turn around
“There are going to be a lot of changes as a result of this workshop in the traditional institutions of the state.
