(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ABA_8829-300x199.jpg) Abia State government has presented staff of office to 22 new traditional rulers in the State to replace their communities' deceased royal fathers.
Speaking at the ceremony which held at the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ministry, the Governor, Theodore Orji said the new traditional rulers were selected based on merit, integrity, popularity and general endorsement by their people.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_01141-300x234.jpg)Gov Theodore Orji of Abia state presenting staff of office to HRH Eze Friday Onwukwe at the Min.of Local government and chieftaincy affairs in Umuahia. The governor said that his administration has not created new autonomous communities but merely replacing dead Ezes to avoid vacuum in their areas, adding that those selected are the right people as transparency and due process were followed in their selection.
He charged the affected communities to respect the new royal fathers since they were representing the government and advised the traditional rulers to ensure the safety and protection of the welfare of their people as well as maintain peace in their various communities.
Orji who told them to fight kidnapping and to be prepared to work in accordance with the precepts of the government warned that any of them found misbehaving will have his staff of office withdrawn.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ABA_8742-300x188.jpg)L-R Dr. Eze Chikamnanyo, Commissioner for Information Abia state, Mohammed Garba, National President, NUJ, Gov Theodore Orji of Abia state, His deputy Sir Emeka Ananaba and Rotimi Obamuwagun, Deputy National President, NUJ during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council Meeting of the NUJ at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia. Earlier, the Commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Emma Nwabuko disclosed that 22 autonomous communities who successfully selected and presented their Ezes are the ones that benefitted, pointing out that the selection was done through due process.
Responding on behalf of the others, Eze Chijioke Aguocha thanked the governor for the honour done to them; and promised on to assist the governor to achieve his aim of moving the state forward.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria