Ortom present staff of office to 10 first class traditional rulers

BENUE State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Monday installed and presented staff of office to ten newly selected First Class rulers in the state with a charge on them not to put themselves where their personal interests would conflict with their traditional duties.

The governor who gave the charge during the installation of the newly selected traditional rulers held at IBB square Makurdi, also called on the Federal government to bring to book those behind the killings in the state, stating the state had not known peace since the beginning of this year.

He urged them to avoid acts of impartiality, nepotism and favouritism and exhibit transparency in all their dealings with their subjects in the exercise of their duties, and also promote harmony, understanding, good neighbourliness, fair mediation of conflicts so as to maintain peace, order and development of their domains.

While urging the royal fathers to encourage their people to embrace the rule of law at all times, the governor warned members of the public not to do anything that would aggravate further crisis in the state or attempt to take innocent lives noting that Benue people are not fighting tribal or religious fight but seeking for justice.

“You should not put yourselves where your personal interests conflict with your traditional duties. l urge you to work in harmony with all the Second and Third Class Chiefs as well as District and Ward Heads and Local Government Officers for optimum performance so as to bring government developments to the doorstep of your subjects.

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“Before now we have only two First Class Chiefs but when we assumed office, our Administration deemed it fit to review the Chieftaincy Law so as to upgrade the structure of the Traditional Institution and effect necessary reforms to enable it to function better. Consequently, an Executive Bill was sponsored to create more Chiefdoms and clearly define the roles of Traditional Rulers in Benue State. Accordingly, the Benue State House of Assembly passed into Law the Bill for the Establishment of Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils in the State which I assented to on 11th October 2016”, Ottoman said.

He commended the Speaker and the entire Members of the Benue State House of Assembly that passed the Law that led to the emergence of the ten new First Class Chiefs in Benue State and assured the Traditional Institution in the State of the support and cooperation of government at all times.

The governor disclosed that he had in consultation with Benue State Executive Council (EXCO) approved an upward review in the remuneration of Traditional Rulers in the State to further give the Institution its well-deserved boost.

In his remark, the Chairman Benue State Council of Chiefs and Paramount ruler, Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse promised that the entire traditional institution will work closely with government to ensure peace, unity and cooperation as well as remain submissive to constituted authorities with their subjects.

He enjoined all the traditional rulers in the state to remain apolitical, neutral and fair in handling the affairs of the state and urged all sons and daughters to endeavour to obtain their permanent voter’s card in order to exercise their civil responsibility of choosing their leaders in 2019.

“We will Support government to overcome security challenges in our domain by ensuring that our subjects obey stipulated rules and regulations in the state.

“You have lifted the traditional institutions up and we will not disappoint you. Therefore Congratulate all the 10 first class chief that have received their staff of office and l assured that l will work with them to uphold the laid rules that regulate the traditional institutions in the state,” Prof. Ayatse.

Responding on behalf newly installed traditional Chiefs, the Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer commended the governor for finding them worthy for the stool with a promise to join hands with the government to bring peace and development in the state.

Chief Iortyer further appealed to the government to organize orientation workshop and seminars for the traditional rulers to enable them to acquaint themselves with the new Chieftaincy law.