Traditional rulers of the South-South and South – East geopolitical zones of Nigeria have taken a decision to strongly re-unite in order to better push for even and sustainable development in their long-neglected parts of the country, for the betterment of the lot of the present and future generations of their people.
One of the first steps in this direction is first Conference of the South-South and South-East Traditional Rulers’ Forum, slated for 2nd and 3rd July 2013 in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa state capital, with the theme: “Building Synergy for Sustainable Development in the South-South and South-East Zones.” The keynote address at the opening is expected to be presented by a renowned Nigerian scholar, Professor Adele Jinadu.
Prominent traditional rulers from across the country who are expected at the Conference include the Sultan of Sokoto, Ooni of Ife, Shehu of Borno, Etsu Nupe, Alake of Egbaland and Gbon Gwong Jos. Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson will be Chief Host and his opposite numbers from all the other states in the zone will be there.
Coordinating Secretary of the Forum, Dr. Alfred Chiakor in a release on the event, recalls that the two zones share a common history and were together called the Eastern Region before its balkanization into states, and continue to share common cultural values and heritage as well as strong economic ties.
He stressed the importance of this coming together, noting that development cannot be achieved in isolation from traditional values and cultures, especially in a typically traditional society such as Nigeria, even as he emphasizes that this decision to construct a viable synergy has no political undertones whatsoever.
