By Ayodele Adegbuyi
Abuja
Determined to have active roles in the new constitution now at work at the National Conference, the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) would be hosting its 7th General Assembly in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State next week.
The event is to be hosted under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ooni of Ife, beginning from Monday, April 28, to Thursday, May 1, 2014.
The traditional council meeting would be attended by President Goodluck Jonathan who had accepted to be the special guest of honour while Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, is the guest speaker.
Jonathan is expected to declare the event open. Governor of the state, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the chief host, would give a keynote address.
In a press release, chairman, coordinating committee, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, explained that the theme of the general assembly was “sustaining the natural mandate of traditional institutions in contemporary times”.
He stated, “The general assembly is aimed at bringing together traditional rulers from all walks of life in all the states of the federation to brainstorm on how to effectively harness the natural mandate of the traditional rulers, with special emphasis on issues related to intra and inter communal harmony, security, religious and political intolerance.
