Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has threatened to hand over to law enforcement agency, any traditional ruler in the state who allows youth in his domain to breed cultists and allow children to stay away from school.
“If I hear of cultism in your domain, I will turn my face the other way. Kidnapping and child trafficking must not happen in your domain. If in any community I find a child that is not in school, I will not discipline you because you are my fathers, but I will turn my face in the other way and the law will take its course.
Governor Umahi, who spoke as he inaugurated the state’s Council of Traditional Rulers at the Government House in Abakaliki, vowed to check the declining status of education and health sectors in the state.
“The health centres are now your second palace. You are now the patrons of the health centres. You are also in- charge of our educational system.
A statement on Thursday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, quoted governor Umahi as calling on the traditional rulers to maintain peace in their various communities.
The governor, however commended the monarchs for the roles they played in restoring peace in Ezillo and Ezza/Ezillo communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, reminding them that they would remain the chief security officers of their communities.
“There is no way you can be Ezes (monarchs) and we are having crises, it with will not work. We must know about crises before they even blow up.
“We have the Commissioner for Peace and Conflict Resolution.. We also have the senior Special Assistant on Security. We have the Secretary to State Government. We have the Deputy Governor,we have the governor. We have the Attorney Genneral, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, SAs on Chieftaincy Matters and Attitudinal Change. So you have many channels to get us when you sense any problem.”
The newly constituted traditional council has Eze Charles Mkpuma as chairman. Eze Mkpuma assured the governor of the total support of the royal fathers to his administration. [myad]
