By : Gbenga Akingbule.
Prince Abba Kawu Shehu Abubakar Garbai of Borno Emirate Council, on Wednesday called for constitutional roles to be assigned to traditional rulers in Nigeria, saying that their potential to promote national unity and good governance can not be overemphasized.
Gatekeepers News reports that Prince Garbai stated that traditional rulers accross the country have greater capability to impact their domain positively if they are given the desired constitutional backing .
This was disclosed by Prince Garbai during a workshop organized by the German Cooperation (GIZ) and co-funded by the EU held in Abuja , Nigeria’s Capital City.The three -day workshop on strengthening the capacity of women in public office and male allies in Borno State to advocate for and deliver gender sensitive planing and gender responsive budgeting at Local Government Level .
The workshop brought together stakeholders from the Media, Civil Society Organisations, Female Public Officials among others to discuss and strategize on promoting gender-responsive budgeting and good governance in Nigeria, with a focus on increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes and ensuring equitable allocation of resources.
According to Prince Kawu Abubakar Garbai, traditional rulers should be given clearly defined roles in the constitution, moving beyond their current status as contained in the 1999 constitution.
” I’m making a passionate appeal for greater constitutional roles for traditional rulers in Nigeria” Garbai stated
The Prince who is the District Head of Mafa in Borno State and Special Adviser on Local Government and Emirate Affairs commended the state Governor, Prof Babagana Prof Zulum led administration for the ongoing feeding programme in schools in the state but said more can be achieved by the government.
“I urge the. Borno State Hon. Commissioner of Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe to scale up the school feeding programme, providing three nutritious meals daily to primary and secondary school pupils students, up from the current two meals.”
” Implementing three square meals will not only boost enrollment of vulnerable children in schools but also significantly address the issue of out-of-school children in Borno State.” The Prince said.
