The Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, has stated that traditional leaders have vital roles to play in the quest to ensure that Nigeria remains an indivisible nation.
While accepting the chieftaincy title of Obasayero of Oyo Empire, conferred on him by the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi, at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo on Saturday, the governor stated that Bauchi State acknowledged the importance of traditional rulers in the maintenance of law and order at the grass roots. The governor’s four wives, Nafisa, Mariya, Abiodun and Aisha were also conferred with various titles.
Yuguda said, “The Bauchi State Government appreciates the role of traditional rulers not only as the custodians of our culture and tradition, but also in the maintenance of law and order, especially at the grass roots level. It is for this reason that our government has been according traditional rulers in the state the necessary support to perform their duties effectively. Furthermore, we have created additional districts and villages to ensure effective coverage of the state by traditional administration.”
While thanking the Oyo monarch for the title, which is the seventh in line of importance in the chieftaincy order of Oyo Empire, Yuguda described Adeyemi as a bridge builder who had lent credence to the belief that traditional institution holds the hope for the continued existence of Nigeria as a nation.
In his speech, the monarch praised Bauchi State for producing the likes of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, stating also that Yuguda represented the traits that Balewa exhibited. He said that although he hardly conferred title on people, Yuguda deserved the title, which was last held by the late Babasola Rhodes from Lagos State.
Punchng