…Presents Staff of office
The Imo state governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma has presented Staff of Office and Certificates of recognition to sixty six newly elected traditional rulers from various autonomous communities.
Performing the role amid jubilations and shouts of joy by families, subjects, friends and well-wishers of the Royal Fathers at the Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri, Senator Uzodinma made it clear that the responsibility to elect traditional rulers lied squarely on the autonomous communities and not the government. He warned that government would withdraw the certificate of any traditional ruler found to have provided false information.
Governor Uzodimma blamed the delay in presenting the staff of office to them on court cases and petitions involving some of them, aimed at resolving the discrepancies. He urged the new traditional rulers to live and maintain peace within their communities.
Concerning state security, the governor warned that any traditional ruler who took an oath who supports insecurity or fails to manage security effectively in their communities would face det-hronement and charged them to collaborate with the government to enhance the quality of life of their people.
He reiterated that traditional rulers were integral parts.of government, serving as ambassadors at the community level, and should actively support efforts to maintain peace and tranquility.
The governor said every autonomous community must have a traditional ruler, insisting that the Royal Fathers have a responsibility to serve their people, look after them, and treat them in manner that would give God satisfaction.
Senator Uzodinma pointed out that they were traditional rulers would not make those they were serving slaves.
One of the new traditional rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Emmanuel Uche of Ndiuche Arondizuogu Autonomous Community in Ideato North LGA, expressed his commitment to the honour bestowed upon him.
Ezer Uche said that the recognition would serve as a reminder to his responsibility to his people.
He disclosed that a good ruler must be a servant to his people.
The Royal Father promised to uplift his community by making sure that whatever was lacking before would be provided as old things had passed away while new things had come.
An illustrious son of the area and immediate past President General of the community, Mazi Onyemauwa Okereke advised the new traditional ruler that it was now time to heal the wound, unite the people for peace to reign in order to usher in development and progress in the place.
