.png)
By Madu Obi
The Anambra State government has threatened to suspend any traditional ruler who ignores the due process in conferring chieftaincy titles on individuals. Specifically, government warned that no conferment would take place without getting clearance from the State Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Tony Nwabunwanne, in an interview in Awka, referred to two recent incidents where two traditional rulers conferred chieftaincy titles on individuals, which he described as unauthorized.
The Commissioner, who recognized traditional rulers as custodians of culture and traditions of the land, also commended the pivotal roles of traditional rulers in the state in facilitating community development.
According to Nwabunwanne, it is known to every traditional ruler in Anambra State, and it is also contained in the Code of Conduct for Anambra State traditional rulers in the state, that any monarch who wants to confer chieftaincy title on any individual must first notify the state government through the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs and explain what the person has done for the community to deserve such honour and chieftaincy title.
While explaining that the clearance process would help to ensure that chieftaincy titles were conferred on deserving individuals and also motivate others to do good works, he added that the process would equally help to prevent duplication of chieftaincy titles (giving the same chieftaincy titles to two or more different people), as well as guard against potential abuse of traditional stool, among other things it will help stem.
He further said that the traditional ruler of the hometown of the person to be conferred with the chieftaincy title (if he is from another town other than that of the monarch giving him the chieftaincy title), must also be contacted to attest to the character and integrity of the person before he would be conferred with the chieftaincy title, to ensure chieftaincy titles were not given to people who have questionable characters and integrity problem.
Part of the code of conduct of Anambra Traditional Rulers Council reads: “Igwes can only confer title on indigenes of their community after they must have obtained security clearance from the relevant security agencies and approval from Mr. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
“If the Igwe must confer title on an indigene of another community, he must get the consent of the Igwe of the recipient’s community. The title must be that of the conferring community.”
The Commissioner regretted that despite the provisions, many traditional rulers still do not comply, despite being aware of them.
He said: “These traditional rulers know these things, and it is even there in their Code of Conduct, but some of them still disregard the process due to reasons best known to them."
"But enough is enough. Any traditional ruler who henceforth confers or recently conferred chieftaincy to anybody without our clearance will be suspended".
He observed that most of the traditional rulers who disregard the due process do not attend meetings of traditional rulers in the state.
While issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to all traditional rulers who recently conferred chieftaincy titles to individuals without getting clearance, to explain to the Ministry the reason behind their action.
Nwabunwanne further said: “They must explain to my office why they gave those chieftaincy titles without my clearance and without letters from the traditional rulers of the communities of those people they gave the chieftaincy titles, or they risk suspension. We can’t tolerate this arbitrariness anymore.
"My Ministry’s insistence on the monarchs getting the government’s clearance as a prerequisite for chieftaincy title conferment is not to witch-hunt anybody, but to ensure that the right thing is done and done through the right process."
“By insisting on this adherence to prescribed process, the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration aims to ensure that deserving individuals are recognized for their contributions to the community, thereby fostering a culture of meritocracy."
"In a society where symbols of recognition carry profound cultural weight, the insistence on following due process also serves as a reminder that chieftaincy titles are not mere accolades but reflections of substantial contributions to community development."
"By requiring traditional rulers to articulate the merits of each conferred title, my Ministry aims at instilling a sense of purpose and responsibility in the honour, and ensuring that those bestowed with such distinctions are individuals who have left an indelible marks on the tapestry of communal progress."
Comments