Community Development: The Place of Traditional Rulers in Active Governance

Prior to the emergence of African colonists, traditional rulers shouldered substantial authority and were central figures in the socio-political structures of their respective communities. 

They executed judicial, political, economic, and religious functions, thereby guaranteeing justice, making political decisions, managing resources, and preserving cultural heritage. 

Colonialism, however, diminished their authority, relegating them to more or less like ceremonial roles as this is often seen today and major roles of traditional rulers have almost been taken over by the government of the day in their respective states.

From time immemorial, traditional rulers as a result of their deep understanding of local customs and traditions have been able to effectively guide and protect their communities thereby bringing orderliness, developments, and growth to their people. 

They act as intermediaries between government and the people and subsequently facilitate the implementation of government policies and programs at the grassroots level. They are at every point in time sequential in resolving conflicts and thereby maintaining peace using customary laws and practices to mediate disputes of various kinds that help to prevent the escalation of conflicts and foster community cohesion and stability.

Traditional rulers ensure economic stability of their communities and contribute to their economic development by channeling their community resources to the growth and development of their immediate environment and not neglecting their neighbouring communities as well as encouraging local initiatives. They are instrumental in influencing and allocation of resources and the implementation of developmental projects that often align with their communities’ needs and priorities.

Talking about social welfare, traditional rulers are always at the fore front in overseeing social welfare programs within their communities by safeguarding vulnerable people such as the elderly, women, and children as they frequently receive essential and necessary supports and protection which habitually seen in the overall well-being of their communities.

The importance of traditional rulers cannot be overstressed oscillating from community identity and unity to legitimacy and trust, mediation between modern and traditional systems, and promotion of peace and stability. They denote their communities’ link to its past and its continuity into the future as their acceptability is momentous from historical and cultural continuity which entrust them as efficient and effective leaders in local governance. 

They are seen as a bridge between modern governmental structures and traditional practices that often integrate modern administrative practices with traditional governance systems thereby ensuring that developmental initiatives are culturally sensitive and widely acceptable.

In today’s experience across the globe, the traditional stool is seen to be facing lots of challenges which hitherto has taken away some significant respect and dignity attached to it. The authorities of traditional rulers have been ominously weakened as a result of colonial legacies and largely due to modern governmental structures. 

How about their political interference which in most cases have undermined their authority, effectiveness, and dignity thereby limiting their resource control over the resources within their domain and this has hindered the ability of some traditional rulers from effectively carrying out their roles.

Taking into cognizance the importance of traditional stool, it is therefore supreme to consider the need to strengthen traditional institutions and restore their authority in order to enhance their effectiveness in local governance. 

Enriching their capacity building through provision of capacity-building programs to improve their governance skills and ability to manage community resources should be taken into consideration. With this, collaboration with government can take place to enhance the implementation of developmental projects and policies.

It is of great importance and recognition to all traditional stools as they play a vivacious role in the administration of local government areas in Nigeria and essential for governance in providing conflict resolution, cultural preservation, economic development, and social welfare.

It is therefore necessary for our traditional stools to be recognized and strengthened for significant contributions to community peace, growth, and development.

Engr. Samuel Afolabi (AFO) MNSE, COREN writes from the UK