Not fewer than 104 graded and upgraded traditional rulers in Kogi State on Saturday officially received Staff of Office issued by the state government.
The breakdown of traditional rulers that benefitted from the Staff of Office includes; 31 first class, 30 second class and 43 third class chiefs.
Making the presentation in Lokoja on Saturday at the Mohammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Governor Yahaya Bello said the upgrade is in line with his administration’s commitment to accord the traditional institution a pride of place.
Governor Bello who described the place of the traditional institution in maintaining of peace and security , urged them to sustain the peace and security in their domain.
He assured that his administration will continue to work with the traditional institution in achieving peace and security, describing the traditional rulers as God’s representatives on earth.
He stated that his administration has made fairness, equity and justice in the appointment and upgrade of the traditional rulers and promised to look into the pending request for appointment and upgrade of other traditional rulers before end of this year.
While pointing out that he will continue to advocate for the inclusion of the Traditional institution in politics and governance in Nigeria, declared that he has made them part and parcel of his New Direction Administration.
He thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for sending a delegation to the occasion, assured that he will continue to work with the traditional rulers in the state, towards ensuring that the state remains top as the most Peaceful and secured in the country.
The Governor disclosed that on assumption of office he met an insecured state, lacking in development, but expressed satisfaction that he has made the State the most peaceful and developed in the country.
The Governor used the occasion to call on other States in the country to come and learn from the state’s security architecture that has made it peaceful and secured, congratulated all the graded and upgraded Chiefs in the State.
In his remarks at the occasion, President Mohammadu Buhari, represented by Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, Minister for Police Affairs, praised Gov. Yahaya Bello for the pride of place he has given to the traditional institution.
He described the acceptance of the newly graded and upgraded chiefs as an indication of a cordial relationship existing between the government and the traditional institution, urged for a sustained working relationship towards sustained development.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, Barr. Salami Ozigi Didat, the Honourable Commissioner For Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, said the efforts to give the desired attention to the traditional institution is because of the important role the play in the maintenance of peace and security.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of staff of office to the upgraded and graded traditional rulers in the State.
Recalled that the Kogi State Government at its State Executive Council Meeting sitting approved the appointment of the following traditional rulers’ stools as graded/upgraded by the Kogi State Government:
ASEMA EZIUKA EVINI
ADAVI LGA
From Second Class To First Class
ADEIKA OF ONOGU (ADAVI LGA)
From Third Class To First Class
IDU OF ATAMI ADAVI LGA
Graded Third Class
OHIZE OF ADEIKA ADAVI LGA
Graded Third Class
ONOWU OF ANIBASA
AJAOKUTA LGA
Graded Third Class
OVANEBIRA OF EGANYI
AJAOKUTA LGA
From Third Class To Second Class.
ADEIKA OF EZIEDE
AJAOKUTA LGA
From Second Class To First Class
ETSU OF GEREGU
AJAOKUTA LGA
Graded Third Class
OBARO OF EGANYI
AJAOKUTA LGA
Graded Third Class
OVARUSA OF UNOSI
AJAOKUTA LGA
From Third To Second Class
ASAMA OF EGANYI
AJAOKUTA LGA
Graded Third Class