Traditional Ruler In Bauchi Advocates For Recognition In Constitution Not Roles
From Yahaya Audu, Bauchi
A prominent traditional ruler, the Chiroman Bauchi, Alhaji Nuru Adamnu Jumba has said that what the traditional institution requires is a recognition by the Constitution of the country but not the provision of specific roles to play.
According to the monarch, the provision of specific for the traditional rulers in the constitution is akin to demoralizing the institution in its entity.
“What the traditional institution need or require is a recognition by the Nigerian Constitution but not necessarily the provision of some specific roles to play by the traditional rulers in the society”, Chiroma said.
The Chiroman Bauchi was speaking at a sensitization campaign tagged, “Sensitization Campaign On Best Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for the Promotion of Social Justice in Nigeria” organized by the Bauchi Office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Alhaji Nuru Adamu Jumba also stressed the need for the people to recognize that the reconciliatory, mediatory or arbitration traditional rulers delve in dispute between parties is in the best interest of the public.
He explained that there are certain disputes between parties that are being doggedly and speedily handled by traditional rulers rather than taking such disputes to law courts.
Chiroma said however that there are instances whereby disputes surmount the capacity of traditional rulers to handle which they normally refer them to law courts for adjudication.
He assured that traditional rulers would continue to wade in conflicts between aggrieved parties for resolution to ensure social justice among the populace
The NOA Director General, Dr. Garba Abari has earlier in an opening address said the agency’s platform could be used to advocate for adherence to social justice to prevent violence and chaos in the country, assured that government is working assiduously to bridge the gaps and provide a just and egalitarian society.
Abari, represented by agency’s director of Special Duties and State Operations, Mrs. Mete Edekobi, said, “We at the National Orientation Agency believe strongly that adherence to social justice lies at the heart of harmonious co-existence. It is in the backdrop of this belief that we are holding this program today”
“We have seen instances where people are given different treatment for same action or inaction. There are many reported and unreported cases of injustice and operation, tyranny, exploitation and even slavery”, he said.
DG Added, “We have seen instances of denial of right and equal opportunities. We are vivid expression of the lack of social justice in the societies”.
Dr. Garba Abari who explained that social justice is critical in the successful implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanism, said that Nigerians are desirous of social justice rooted in the values of equality, justice, respect for diversity, religious tolerance, and tolerance of differences in political views.
“In the face of various forms of crisis that continue to threaten the fabric of our national cohesion, the promotion of social justice should be rooted in our national institutions and implemented by them”, Abari concluded.
Institutions or organizations that spoke at the occasion include the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Bar Association and Bauchi state Ministry of Justice respectively represented by DPO Rilwanu Shu’aibu, DCC Prince Robert Molokwu, Shamsuddeen Mohammed Toro Esq and Barrister Umar Babayo.
The representative of the state commissioner of police, DPO Rilwanu Shu’aibu who described police as a friend to all and sundry, said they were in support of any alternative resolution of disputes.
Prince Robert Molokwu who represented the NSCDC revealed that the command in Bauchi has since its establishment treated 2, 757 cases, and asked NOA to extent the sensitization to LGAs from where most of the disputes emanate.
Shamsuddeen Mohammed Toro Esq, who was the Assistant Secretary of the Bauchi state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, described the sensitization as timely and congratulated NOA for organizing it considering the fact the Nigerians are approaching general elections which is often occasioned by conflicts and violence.
Barrister Umar Babayo who represented the ministry of justice recalled that reconciliation was even in the religion of Islam centuries ago, and advocated such sensitization to sharia court judges, stressing the need for synergy between traditional institutions, sharia court judges and counsels or lawyers
