The Maigari of Lokoja, HRM, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV has said that there is a need for the Federal Government to place roles in the hands of traditional rulers because of their closeness to the people.
He this known on Wednesday in a media chat with Newsmen as part of the activities to mark his one year on the throne of his forefathers.
According to him, his role as a traditional ruler makes him accessible to the people, pointing out that the role enables him to have first-hand information on what is happening to the people before the government.
The traditional ruler called for roles that would allow the masses to have improved well-being in their living standards, insisting that the traditional rulers remain the custodians of the People’s culture and tradition.
The first-class monarch described the office of the Maigari of Lokoja as a big task but said because he was born into the Royal home with his grandfather and father as former Maigari, he was able to gather knowledge from them that has helped him in uniting and galvanising the people for development.
“Based on my experience, exposure and as a widely travelled person, having worked in various places, made the task of leading the people an easy task for me.
“To be a good leader, one thing that should come to your mind is that religion and ethnicity should not be a barrier”, said accepting everyone as his own has made him achieve the role of uniting and galvanizing the people for development.
As part of his one-year anniversary, the Maigari said he was divinely inspired to visit health facilities in his domain, said the vulnerable are people he so much cherished in life, reason why rather than engaging in merry-making, he visited the sick various hospitals to lend a helping hand to them by donating free drugs and footing their medical bills.
” I met terrifying situations at the Federal Teaching hospital” the Maigari urged the people to share what they have with the sick and the needy to make the society and the world a better place to live in.
The Maigari of Lokoja paid glowing tribute to the present administration of Gov Usman Ahmed Ododo, pointing out that the blind and the deaf can attest to the fact that the administration is committed to the well-being of the people.
” Gov. Ododo is doing extremely well. A lot of good things are happening in the State with salaries and pension paid as at when due. The Governor is accessible to all”, appealed to the Governor to continue and maintain his good works by coming close to the people.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr Yahaya MD Farouk, described the one year of the Maigari as eventful, with several unprecedented developments attracted to the area.
Similarly, the Member, Representing Lokoja 1 State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Tijani Ebaya, said the people of Lokoja appreciate the uniting roles the Maigari has displayed since he assumed office.
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