Anambra regulates conferment of chieftaincy titles

179 traditional rulers in Anambra State yesterday got a directive from the government on modalities for conferment of chieftaincy titles on recipients during their Ofala festivals.

According to the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Nnayelugo Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the state government had issued a directive that monarchs must henceforth submit resume of recipients of chieftaincy titles for approval from the government before such award would be made.

The government specifically said any person that would receive titles from traditional rulers must first have his bio-data submitted to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for scrutiny before the festival proper.

According to Mr. Greg Obi, from the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the candidates must be certified by his office and in the case of those from outside the community his or her names would be sent to the traditional ruler of his home community for approval before the title would be conferred on recipients.

Last year over twelve communities in the state had crisis over the conferment of chieftain titles to some individuals which affected the peace in the area, hence, government resolved to intervene.

It reads: “The essence of the screening is to ensure that we do not give titles to people who have questionable characters and those who do not have any clear and verifiable means of livelihood.

“It is also important that we comply with the directive in order to protect and maintain the sacrosanctity of our revered Traditional institution and rich cultural heritage.

“As the custodian of our culture and tradition we should not be found wanting in its ramifications and the society sees us as that.”