Ilorin, – Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has commended the role of traditional rulers in the country, describing them as custodians of the people and culture in the society.
He made the commendation in Ilorin on Saturday during the first anniversary of the turbaning of Dr Usman Atolagbe Abubakar-Jos, as the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin Emirate.
AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Malam Abdulateef Jida, his Special Assistant on Special Duties, also described the roles of traditional rulers in the country as encompassing.
He explained that traditional rulers are custodians of religious and traditional heritages, and urged legislators to consider codifying their roles in the society.
Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, the Director General of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILDS), described the celebrant as a man of intellectual capacity who would facilitate development to his people.
Suleiman, also the Chairman of the occasion, noted the relevance of traditional institutions, like the emirate in the past and contemporary age.
He admonished that laws should be amended to allow traditional rulers play their critical roles.
The director-general however advised traditional rulers not to act as political agents for politicians and ensure a semblance of neutrality in their dealings.
He also advocated financing models that would insulate traditional institutions from pressures and blackmail from political office holders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was attended by the academia and eminent personalities from across the nation. (NAN)