The 12 suspended traditional rulers in Anambra State were visibly omitted today when Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano presented brand new Innoson Ikenga SUV vehicles to all the traditional rulers in the state.
TNC correspondent on ground reports that the suspended monarchs who were alleged to have been earlier gifted luxurious vehicles by an oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze for aligning with him against the governor, were neither present at the ceremony which held at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
The Innoson vehicles were manufactured in Nnewi, Anambra state, by Chief Innocent Chukwuma’s Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company.
Handing over keys to the vehicles, Governor Obiano commended the traditional rulers for their support to his administration in its efforts to develop the grassroots, especially in the implementation of the twenty million naira Choose-Your-Project Community Development Initiative.
The governor urged the traditional rulers to show high sense of responsibility in administering the affairs of their respective communities, reminding them that his government will inquire after their communities from them, should anything go south.
He made it clear that the beneficiaries are the ones duly recognized and certified in line with the Anambra State Chieftaincy Laws.
“We are gathered here to honour our royal fathers who are the custodians of our culture and traditions. What we are doing today had been planned earlier but was interrupted by the COVID-19 challenge. It is on record that my government has given the traditional rulers a sense of belonging in the governance of the state. It was under my watch that the salaries of the Kings were increased above all the statutory requirements to enable them effectively undertake their responsibilities,” he noted.
The governor expressed the hope that the air-conditioned Innoson SUVs will be useful to the royal fathers in coordinating affairs in their various communities.
He urged them to continue to lend their support to his government, to enable it realize its lofty vision for the various communities across the state.
Greg Obi, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, stressed that Governor Obiano has maintained a good relationship with the traditional rulers before now, pointing out that he influenced the law of the state to reflect the clause that Anambra Traditional rulers are the chief security officers of their respective communities.
This he noted, is as is contained in the State Vigilante Law already passed by the State Legislature.
Responding, the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, thanked the governor for the gesture which he said they had been expecting for long.
According to him, the gesture is a testament to the governor’s support and concern for their welfare.
“Our role as traditional rulers is to partner the State Government to achieve the growth and development of our communities and in that task, the governor has been very supportive. At some point, we had given up that these vehicles were not going to come again but the governor today made it possible. What we want to assure you today is that we will not disappoint you,” the Onitsha paramount ruler promised.
The event was witnessed by members of the state house of Assembly led by its Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Traditional Rulers’ Council led by its Chairman, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, former Governors Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Senator Victor Umeh, National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Oye, Former CBN Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, members of the state executive council, civil servants, among others.
