Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, on Tuesday charged traditional rulers to expose criminals in their various domain.
The governor made the call during the installation and presentation of staff of office to two Second Class chiefs in Wase Local Government Area of the state.
The two new traditional rulers are the ‘Aku Mavo’ of Jukun kingdom, Muhammad Asi ll, and Lot Nden, the ‘Ponzhi Kadarko I’ of Kadarko Kingdom.
” I have since read the riot act to all community leaders and traditional rulers, to fully cooperate with relevant government establishments, security agencies and other stakeholders in fishing out criminals within their domain.
“In line with this order, any community leader or traditional ruler who is unable to assist security agencies towards arresting criminals within his domain will be held to account,” he said.
He warned that any traditional ruler who is found promoting ethno-religious hatred, injustice, disharmony or shielding criminals would not only be dethroned, but made to face the laws of the land.
The governor pointed out that the traditional institution plays a significant role in facilitating peace, unity, progress and security of the state and should be supported by the community members.
“These are the virtues we expect you to promote and uphold as we consolidate on the peaceful ambience we have worked hard to restore, which is bringing back Plateau to its place as the home of peace and tourism,” he said.
Lalong said the installation of the new chiefs was a fulfilment of his campaign promise to restore and create Chiefdoms, Districts, Village Areas as well as a review of salaries and welfare packages for traditional rulers in the state.
He congratulated the two traditional leaders and urged them to discharge their duties with diligence, honesty, justice and the fear of God.
”As custodians of the culture and tradition of your people, I expect you to uphold the highest virtues of decency, morality as well as be a unifying factor for all the people residing in your domain.
“With the staff of office in your hands, you cease to be champions of one particular clan, tribe, denomination or religion. You are fathers to all that reside in your domain irrespective of where they come from,” he said.
He prayed for wisdom for the traditional rulers in handling matters in their domain, urging them to imbibe fairness and justice in their administration of duties.
The governor also urged traditional rulers to sensitise their people on the need to take the COVID-19 vaccine currently being administered in the state.
” You need to join us in dispelling conspiracy theories about the vaccine and sensitising the people on the need to observe COVID-19 protocols,” he said.
He promised to resume road construction in the areas which was suspended because of security challenges in the area, urging the people to remain peaceful to fast track developmental projects in the area.
The governor also disclosed that a committee had been set up to ensure amicable resolution of issues bordering on the area of jurisdiction and land boundaries between the chiefdoms.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Dr Ado Buba, thanked Gov. Lalong for keeping his campaign promises of an inclusive governence with the creation of chiefdoms, districts and villages and the presentation of staff for them to fully take off.
He called on the people of the chiefdoms to support the newly installed traditional rulerss to perform their duties diligently.
“I want to make a passionate appeal that his Excellency directs the relevant body or bodies, to demarcate and give each royal father a clear cut areas of jurisdiction to avoid overlapping,”he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Emir of Wase, Alh. Muhammadu Haruna ll, who is also the chairman of the traditional council in Wase Local Government, promised to give the new chiefs the necesary support to succeed.
Responding on behalf of the installed traditional rulers, the Aku Mavo of Jukun Kingdom, Muhammad Asi, thanked the governor for honouring his campaign promises.
He assured the state administration of their loyalty and promised that they would discharge their duties diligently while ensuring peace in their various domain.
Asi said they would ensure the promotion of peace-building initiatives while protecting their culture and traditions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointments of the Aku Mavo of Jukun Kingdom, Muhammad Asi II, and the ‘Ponzhi Kadarko I’ of Kadarko Kingdom, Lot Nden, were backdated to take effect from on Jan. 16, 2019 and Aug. 14, 2018 respectively
