Speaker Abbas donates vehicles to six southern traditional rulers 

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Monday, donated another set of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to six traditional rulers in the South West, South South and the South East geopolitical zones.

This is coming 24 hours after the Speaker distributed 23 vehicles to both first class and second class traditional rulers in Kaduna State.

The six beneficiaries were Oba Dr. David Ayodele Ajayi, the Arinjale of Ise Ekiti; Oba Dr. Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo & Paramount Ruler of Remo land in Ogun State, and His Royal Majesty, Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom in Delta State.

Others are His Royal Majesty, Eze Godwin Ugadu – Ogba from Ebonyi State; His Royal Majesty, Eze Phillip Ozor Uzodinma, the Ononenyi (Ozuh-Omuma Autonomous Community) in Imo State, and His Royal Majesty, Ehizojie Eluojierior 1 JP, the Onojie of Igueben & Okaigun of Esanland, Edo State.

Speaking at the brief ceremony which took place at the National Assembly liaison office in Lagos, Speaker Abbas said it was his “little way of empowering the traditional rulers in the country to be able to meet with their responsibilities.”

“If you recall, when we came on board, we said – as part of our legislative agenda – we will see how we could deepen the roles and responsibilities of traditional rulers in Nigeria. We went further to assure you that under our leadership in the 10th Assembly, we would make sure that necessary constitutional amendments are made to facilitate and create ways for the traditional institutions to have bigger and more effective roles in our country.

“To God be the glory, in my little way before we get to that stage, let me start by appreciating our traditional rulers, of whom I’m a product of. I grew up within the same institutions. I know your pains; I know your cries; I know your challenges. This is perhaps the most important institution in our country but the most neglected.

“The kind of support that the traditional institutions get from governments at all levels is nothing to write home about. We want to change the narrative. We would like to see and ensure that the traditional institutions are given their well-deserved respect in the society.

I decided to start a symbolic gesture by extending small assistance to a select few traditional rulers across the 36 states and the FCT. This will not be the end. It is just the beginning. Other traditional rulers who are not fortunate to be part of the first phase should know that this programme will continue year-after-year.

“I’m sure speakers to come in the future will take over from where I stopped, to continue reaching out to our traditional rulers, not just in terms of giving them vehicles to use either as utility or for security, but also look at other areas to improve their lives and motivate them to give their best in ensuring peace and security in their communities.”

The Speaker thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in seeing the that traditional rulers are empowered.

“I will attribute these numerous achievements and many others to come as time goes on to our president, who is very passionate about our traditional institutions. All these things we are doing, and all the things we will be doing in the future, can and will only be possible with the support of Mr. President.

“So, on behalf of the President/Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my singular pleasure to announce that six of our prominent traditional rulers from the South West, the South South and the South East will benefit from the vehicles that will aid them in carrying out their responsibilities.

“I urge all stakeholders in the country: our governors, legislators, and private sector to key in and support our traditional institutions. They need our help. If we help them, they will help us. By helping them, we are making them to maintain peace and order in our communities.”

Speaking at the event, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, said his agency keyed into the project by the Speaker because of its significance in addressing challenges at the grassroots, which may hinder the operations of SMEs.

“We are doing this because there can be no investment in small and medium enterprises in the 36 states and the FCT without our royal fathers. So, we have to empower our royal fathers. Yesterday (Sunday) we did it in the North (Kaduna), and today we are here (in the South).

“I was speaking with some royal fathers, and they said that it would be their security vehicles, while others said it would be utility vehicles. This is what we want to see. It is only when these things happen that we can start to see real development in the rural areas; that’s what we’re mandated with.

“We cannot thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker more. Many more royal fathers in the 36 states are looking forward to this. Our royal fathers are full of joy. Because of you, they can go to all the nooks and crannies in their domains.”

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland in Ogun State, His Royal Majesty, Babatunde Adewale Ajayi CFR, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Speaker for the gesture.

He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his efforts to strengthen the traditional institutions and make them more relevant in the society.

By Tony Akowe