The member representing the good people of Esan Central, Esan West, and Igueben Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun has congratulated the Onogie of Igueben, HRM. Ehizogie Eluojiorior JP. on his gift of a brand new SUV from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas
The member who was ecstatic and full of excitement, thanked Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas for this noble gesture. He added that the Speaker has demonstrated once again that he is a detribalized Nigerian, who is committed to strengthening the unity and cohesion of the country by this noble gesture of gifting selected traditional rulers across the country with an SUV.
It was reported that the Speaker on Monday, donated sets 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 other five beneficiaries are Oba Dr. David Ayodele Ajayi MON, JP, the Arinjale of Ise Ekiti; Oba Dr. Babatunde Adewale Ajayi CFR, FCA, LLM BL, the Akarigbo & Paramount Ruler of Remo land in Ogun State, and His Royal Majesty, Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, the Ovie of the Oghara Kingdom in Delta State, 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.
Speaking at the brief ceremony, held at the National Assembly liaison office in Lagos, the Speaker 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. 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 program 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.