The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called on the
Federal Government of Nigeria to see the decentralization of powers to the
Traditional Rulers in the communities as paramount in achieving sustainable
leadership, development and security in Nigeria.
He made this call while declaring open a 3-day prayer conference
organized by the Fellowship of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (FECTRON)
at the Imo Convention Centre, Owerri, recently.
Governor Okorocha said that as custodians of the peoples’ customs and
traditions, Traditional Rulers deserve full recognition and involvement in
ensuring that government projects/programmes get to the people at the grassroots
pointing out that if empowered, they are capable of identifying criminals in
their hideouts and bringing terrorism and insurgencies to a halt.
The Governor disclosed
that Imo is the first State in Nigeria to establish the Imo Traditional
Parliament, pay security votes to Traditional Rulers in the 637 communities and
recognize Ndi-Eze as Chief Security Officers in their localities which has
helped in curbing kidnapping and other criminal activities in the State.
He said that as
Chairmen of the Community Government Council established by his administration,
the Royal Fathers have been empowered to supervise and maintain schools in
their areas as well as ensure that funds provided by government to enhance
agriculture, especially the palm for palm plantation are adequately utilized by
farmers Said he;
“Nigeria will not develop and get better until the custodians of
power in the communities are empowered”,
Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said the
prayer conference was apt and timely now that the nation is threatened by
insecurity and insurgencies and thanked God that there are ‘Kings of the Earth’
who reverence God and humble themselves to intercede for the people and the
nation at large.
He reminded them that there is a connectivity between God and the
leaders of His people on earth and urged them not to relent in praying for
leaders at all levels.
He explained that the success story of the Rescue Mission
government lies in the daily prayers observed by the government and people of
the State, adding ‘you can’t be praising God and remain small because you are
as high as you think your God is.’
Earlier in his address, HRM Eze Samuel Ohiri (Eze Imo) said the
prayer conference has over the years recorded tremendous success by positively
impacting on the spiritual and material wellbeing of the Kings across the
country and thanked God for helping them overcome various limitations in their
quest to seek His righteousness.
Eze Ohiri described Imo people as Christians who put God first in
everything they do adding that most of the Traditional Rulers in the State and
beyond are on track for the heavenly race.
He thanked God for giving Imo State a God-fearing Governor like
Owelle Okorocha who has better the lot of Imo people through infrastructural
development, free education, uplifting the standard of Ndi-Eze in all
ramifications, etc.
Eze Imo thanked the leadership of the faith building Organization
for choosing Imo as host State for this year’s Annual Conference assuring them
of adequate security and hospitality the State is known for.
The Christian Royal Fathers used the occasion to pray for the
blessing and unity of Government and people of Imo State and Nigeria at large.
The prayer session which lasted from 9th to 11th of
July 2014 was attended by the FECTRON National President, HRM Atuwatse II, The
Olu of Warri, Traditional Rulers from all States of the Federation and
Religious Leaders.
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