Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to collaborate closely with traditional rulers to address insecurity and other grassroots challenges.
The governor made this commitment while hosting traditional rulers from Edo North, thanking them for their visit and acknowledging their vital role in maintaining internal securityHe disclosed his administration’s respect for traditional institutions, recalling how just a few days ago, he restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin.
He said: “I congratulate you for coming to see me. It is the right step in the right direction because royal fathers are strong instruments for internal security.
“History has shown that they were the first security officers of every community. This is how it ought to be because they know visitors and indigenes of their communities. My agenda is to work closely with you.
“We have started righting the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and if you listen to the news recently, we have restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
“Yesterday, we held a meeting with the 18 local government chairmen and asked for their records. We will look into the records when they come in.
“You just mentioned something that we have noted down. We will look into it,t and any person who takes anything belonging to you, such a person,n would be made to return it.
“I will work closely with the traditional rulers to bring peace to Edo State and I will seek your advice when necessary.”
Leader of the delegation and the Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Idogu all, said the last administration, led by Godwin Obaseki, caused more harm than good.
“The last administration had done too much harm to the traditional institutions, especially in Akoko-Edo in Edo North where a village head would just be given the staff of office in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs without due process,” he said.
He disclosed his administration’s respect for traditional institutions, recalling how just a few days ago, he restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin.
He said: “I congratulate you for coming to see me. It is the right step in the right direction because royal fathers are strong instruments for internal security.
“History has shown that they were the first security officers of every community. This is how it ought to be because they know visitors and indigenes of their communities. My agenda is to work closely with you.
“We have started righting the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and if you listen to the news recently, we have restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
“Yesterday, we held a meeting with the 18 local government chairmen and asked for their records. We will look into the records when they come in.
“You just mentioned something that we have noted down. We will look into it and any person who takes anything belonging to you, such a person,n would be made to return it.
“I will work closely with the traditional rulers to bring peace to Edo State and I will seek your advice when necessary.”
Leader of the delegation and the Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Idogu all, said the last administration, led by Godwin Obaseki, caused more harm than good.
“The last administration had done too much harm to the traditional institutions, especially in Akoko-Edo in Edo North where a village head would just be given the staff of office in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs without due process,” he said.