Lagos Assembly seeks elevation of traditional rulers
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The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, called on the government to improve the honour given to prominent traditional rulers before and after their death.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Eromosele Ebhomele, this motion followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, Olawale Olayiwola, during the plenary.
The lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency 2, referenced the celebration that accompanied the burial of Queen Elizabeth II of England and called on the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to celebrate the traditional rulers in the state while they are alive and during their demise.
“Queen Elizabeth II left after over 70 years on the throne and the burial was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“But here in Nigeria, we don’t celebrate our traditional rulers in death. An example was when the former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joined his ancestors recently. He was not celebrated as he should,” he said.
In his comment, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, emphasised that while it might not be easy to honour all the traditional rulers in the state, first-class royal fathers should be celebrated.
He said, “We should learn how to elevate our own. If foreigners are coming to celebrate us through their documentaries, we should think deeply about celebrating ourselves too.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs should fashion out how best our Obas should be celebrated. Occupiers of recognised thrones that have been in existence for many years should be celebrated.”
This was accepted by all the lawmakers at the plenary.
