Traditional rulers overdue for constitutional role -Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom

…Urges oil coy to alleviate unemployment crisis

By Spence Friday Idighri,

The need for the federal government to carve a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country has again been stressed.

This recent call was made by no other than the Paramount ruler of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM. King Obukohwo Monday Arthur Whiskey (JP), Udurhie1, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom.

The Ovie, a strong and long-standing advocate of constitutional role for Traditional Rulers stressed the imperative and the urgent need for government to hearken to this noble and patriotic call and bring such to fruition without further delay.

Ovie Whiskey who stated this in an interview with Journalists immediately he was inaugurated as a member of the Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council (DSTRC) by His Excellency, Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba yesterday said peace and security which is the bedrock of development can only be achieved and sustained if emanated from the community through the traditional institution.

He said “I am a strong advocate of constitutional role for Royal fathers. And as the custodian of our culture and tradition, it behoves us naturally to ensure there is peace and security in our various domains. And this naturally gifted role can only be effectively carried out if there is legal backing to that effect. We would all recall that during the colonial era, the British government administer the country through the royal fathers and they made a huge success of that endeavours. So, if what we had in the past is that good then why can’t we go back?”.He asked rhetorically.

On his impression of the present government both at the Local, State and Federal level, the monarch who is also a veteran journalist said “One cannot adequately appreciate the enormity of any problem except one is part of or he is the driver of the process. Humans are difficult to control especially when you talk of party politics. We don’t have another country that we can call our own. Therefore, we must all pull resources together, support and galvanize leadership to ensure that we get the kind of leadership that we rightfully and truly deserve” he admonished.

On the chronic problem of unemployment in the country, he advised government at all levels to tackle the issue head-on by deliberately formulating policies and programmes that are geared towards ameliorating the problem while specifically tasking oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to be alive to their corporate social responsibility by engaging qualified indigenes in their areas of operation.

The highly vocal and respected traditional ruler who is thankful to governor Okowa for considering him as a member of the State Traditional Rulers’ Council promised that he will do all within his powers not to betray the confidence reposed just as he assure Idjerhe Kingdom that they should expect nothing short of total and all-round development of the second-largest kingdom in Urhobo land.