By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has urged the newly recognised traditional rulers to be impartial and promoters of peace in their domain.
Soludo, who gave the advice while presenting certificates of recognition to Igwe Nsugbe, HRM John Nzekwesili Nweke and his counterparts from Adazi-Nnukwu, Igwe Aethelbirth Muoka, stressed that traditional rulers by virtues of their crown have become fathers of all.
He therefore urged monarchs to embrace both critics' and supporters alike for peaceful coexistence which according to him, must be permanent and non-negotiable prerequisite for grassroot development.
He further revealed plans to make communities function better as forth tier of government through enactment of new Community Administration Law designed to birth structured community governance, noting that the State is currently been governed by voluntary town unions registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission thereby leading to multiple rival factions and endless court cases regarding leadership and traditional rulership.
The governor therefore called on traditional rulers who are already experienced to guide the new entrants as the state works to evolve a new society through a bottom-up approach that will put Anambra communities on the global map.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Barr. Ifeanyi Ezeaka, thanked the governor for recognising the traditional rulers as they were selected according to the rule of law.
"These new leaders are the first to be presented in Mr Governor second tenure, following twelve traditional rulers recognized during his first term, transitioning from the communities through the local government authorities before receiving final state approval," he noted.
Speaking to the media, the two traditional rulers assured the public of harmonizing their people to enthrone peace in their respective communities.
The event held at the Light House, was attended by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers' Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, alongside the Presidents-General of both communities, among other persons.