No governor has honoured Abia traditional institution like Otti – Abia Royal Fathers
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Traditional rulers in Abia State have praised Governor Alex Otti for honouring the traditional institution in the state like no other Governor has ever done.
The royal fathers bared their mind after Governor Otti had jacked up their monthly stipend to N250, 000 for each of them, to be paid from this December.
In addition, the Governor also approved extra N150, 000 for each traditional ruler for their Christmas celebrations.
It was gathered that before now, monthly stipend for traditional rulers in the state was nothing to write home about, as some of them were said to be receiving as low as N5, 000 monthly.
But in a review aimed at improving welfare of the monarchs, Governor Otti approved a monthly stipend of at least N250, 000 for each traditional ruler in 16 local government areas of the state. However, traditional rulers in Aba South local government area, according to the directive of the Governor, would receive an undisclosed different amount as monthly stipend.
Reacting to the development, the leadership and entire members of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, commended the Governor for the gesture.
The Council also expresses gratitude that the Governor, would from this month of December 2024, begin to pay the N250,000 monthly stipend.
In a statement in Umuahia, the Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, commended the friendly disposition of Governor Alex Otti to the Traditional Rulers and described his relationship with the traditional institution as unprecedented. According to Eze Mbah, “no former Governor in the state has so honoured the traditional institution like Dr. Otti.”
The Chairman of Abia royal fathers equally thanked Governor Otti for approving a special Christmas package of N150, 000 for each traditional ruler to enhance their Christmas celebrations, in addition to the newly approved monthly stipend.
He prayed God to give Governor Otti good health, sound mind, resources, more grace and wisdom to continue to pilot the affairs the new Abia, which Eze Mbah said every part of the state was already enjoying.
He reassured the Governor that the royal fathers were committed to assisting him in ensuring that peace and tranquility reigned supreme, as well as dealing with criminal elements, in their domains.
