Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia, has urged governments at all levels to make the traditional community leadership system part of its security strategy.
Okpalaeke made the call at the coronation of Igwe Chinwike Okpalaeke as the traditional ruler of Amesi Town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra in Sunday.
The Catholic bishop blamed the destruction of culture and values of the people for being partly responsible for strife and insecurity in the society.
He said every community of people had its peculiar way of resolving issues and that everyone used to be under the control of any leader they chose for themselves.
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He said although the modern society had its positive contributions to peaceful relationships among the people, the traditional society still had a lot to contribute.
Okpalaeke who shared the same family with the new traditional ruler, prayed for a successful and long reign while urging him to preside over the affairs of his people with fear of God.
“If we want peace in our society, we must go back to the traditional ways people related to one another; that is what the Church is doing by ensuring that families are stronger.
“In the traditional institutions, it is expected that the traditional ruler will make use of the village heads and kindred heads to galvanise the people.
“There is no way a kindred or village will say it does not know its people; it is an effective way of addressing the insecurity in the society.
“Society is drifting because we have forgotten our roots; we must go back to our villages and families and strengthen them.
“Traditional rulers must be father to all and take their communities and subjects to God in prayer,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Innocent Ezeonyebuchi, the Traditional Prime Minister of Amesi Town, said the selection of the new traditional ruler was peaceful and in accordance with the laid down rites.
Ezeonyebuchi said the traditional rulers of the town were Christians and it did not take long before deceased ones were replaced.
“We expect that the peace we are enjoying will continue under the new Igwe and call on the people of Amesi and government of Anambra to support him and help him succeed,” he said.
In his remarks, Igwe Okpalaeke thanked the people for finding him worthy to occupy the ancestral throne and promised to use his reign to attract more blessings and communal peace.
According to the traditional ruler, it is my intention to work for peace and harmony in Amesi and I enjoin all to join hands to make our community great.
“Security is that of everybody, I shall work for robust community policing here by ensuring that our vigilance group works with the police,” he said.(NAN)