By Chinedum Treasure
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has urged newly recognized traditional rulers in the state to remain impartial and promote peace and development in their communities.
Soludo gave the charge at the Light House, Awka, while presenting Certificates of Recognition to the Traditional Rulers of Nsugbe and Adazi-Nnukwu, Igwe John Nzekwesili Nweke and Igwe Aethelbirth Muoka respectively.
The governor described permanent peace as a non-negotiable prerequisite for grassroots development, urging the monarchs to see themselves as fathers to all members of their domains, including supporters and critics.
He acknowledged the challenges associated with leadership, noting that opposition to authority has always existed.
Soludo also disclosed that the state government was working on a new Community Administration Law to establish a more structured system of community governance.
According to him, communities are currently governed largely through voluntary town unions registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, a situation he said had contributed to rival factions and prolonged court cases over leadership and traditional rulership.
He urged established traditional rulers to guide the newly recognized monarchs as the state pursues a bottom-up approach to development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Barr. Ifeanyi Ezeaka, said the two monarchs emerged through due process at the selection level.
He said they were the first traditional rulers to receive recognition in Governor Soludo’s second tenure, following the recognition of 12 monarchs during his first term.
The two monarchs, while speaking to journalists, pledged to unite their people and promote peace in their respective communities.
The event was witnessed by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, and the Presidents-General of the two communities.
Tags: Anambra State, Soludo, Traditional Rulers, Community Development
