Wike presents staff of office to new chiefs

The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, presented staff of office to four newly appointed traditional rulers in the territory.

The traditional rulers are Sa’Katuyi of Karu chiefdom in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), HRH Joseph Da Fulani Narayi, Etsu of Kwali chiefdom, HRH Luka Ayedo Nizasan, Chief of Pai, HRH Sani Abubakar and Etsu of Yaba chiefdom in Abaji Area Council, HRH Alhaji Yakubu Aliyu Ndastu.

In his speech, Wike said the installation/presentation of staff of office to the four traditional rulers was part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda in identifying with the rulers.

He said before he assumed office, the four stools of the traditional rulers were vacant and commended the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud and the area council chairmen for their efforts in filling the vacant stools.

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He said traditional rulers had roles to play, being the closest to the people at the grassroots.

“It is you that will convey to your subjects what government is doing and what government is about to do. And you are the ones that are to sell government programmes to your people,” he said.

Earlier, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Area Councils’ Secretariat and Chieftaincy Matters, Bitrus Lawrence Garki, said the four stools became vacant over 13 months ago, following the demise of the occupants.

He said, “We engaged primarily the king makers in the four chiefdoms and also consulted critical stakeholders such as the heads of each ruling houses and the community leaders in the selection processes.”