By Amaechi Ugwele
The Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA in Enugu State, Hon Malachy Agbo, has described traditional rulers as special people that play special civic roles in their various communities in the ways they proactively lead their people to be active on issues of governance.
Agbo made the observation during the recent meeting of Enugu North Zonal Traditional Rulers Council held in Ogbede, the council headquarters of Igbo-Etiti LGA.
In his welcome remarks to the Igwes, Agbo stated that “we are happy with how our Igwes in our local government area have been presiding over the affairs of their various communities. They are doing well as not just the custodians of our cultures and tradition but also do much to get our people to be part and parcel of governance at every level. And we know that this is also applicable to all of you here. We therefore appreciate these, especially as a grassroots government, as it makes things easier when one is dealing with people one is on the same page with.”
Agbo also noted that his government enjoyed a sustained royal support from the royal fathers and would ensure they were not only recognized but were also always carried along on most issues the government had had to deal with.
He thus enjoined other Council Chairmen to extended such gestures and goodwill to the Igwes, to foster cooperation and progress in the communities.
Agbo also noted that the state government, under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had also accorded the traditional rulers with maximum respect and recognition as the governor had continuously enjoined the Council leaders to accord their matters with priority, with the attendant dignity it required.
He thus observed that their earlier endorsement that the Governor be supported to go back to office for a second term was a move in the right direction.
He further urged them to continue to remind their people of the good works of the Governor as credible voices, even though these were projects were seen across the state, as these projects were sited in communities and places people inhabit.
Responding on behalf of the Igwes, the Chairman of the forum, Igwes (Barr) RCN Eze, thanked the Chairman for the hospitality he had on behalf of the people of the area extended to them, and once again reiterated their support for and earlier endorsement of the Governor for another term, which he said were informed by his good works in the development of the state since his assumption of office, apart from the fact that like the other two zones that had produced governors before it, Enugu North was entitled to also enjoy two terms at the helms of the state.
So, according to him, it was a matter of fairness, to a part of the state that deserved it, and continuity of good performance by one who had performed well.
About 120 traditional rulers from the six local government areas that made up Enugu North viz: Igbo-Etiti, Udenu, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Nsukka, and Uzo-Uwani were in attendance.
