The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerian traditional rulers to join the House in its quest to build a better Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke while receiving 13 traditional rulers from Akoko North West/East Federal Constituency of Ondo State in his office, said as the custodian of tradition, it behoves the traditional rulers to ensure the unity and development of the country.
The Speaker assured the monarch that their demands would be looked into. He also reiterated the House desire to tackle the multifaceted problems besetting the country.
According to him: “Rarely do we get to sit with our fathers who have broader perspectives on the Nigerian situation. Broader perspectives in the sense that we are legislators, trained and looking things from a legalistic point of view and our own experiences and understanding of the law and the constitution, which is the way we should look at things. But when I said broader perspective, it goes with a Yoruba saying that no matter how old or experienced you are, you cannot have the rags of the older ones.
“We are happy that you are with us because as our fathers coming with a rich history of the South-West and of Nigeria as a whole, that is why we feel privileged so that you can enrich our knowledge of Nigeria. We cannot trade your experience; money cannot even buy it.
“That is why we believe in nation-building as a joint task for everybody, including your good selves. “I hope we begin to realise that when we have a crop of members that are committed to their constituencies, states and nation-building like the ones we have now, it behoves on us to use them for as long as we can use them in the legislature.
“I have noted the Oke Agbe TCN project. We’ll look at it, find out how, what stage it is, what is delaying it, and we will look at the hurdles and make sure that we bring that kind of development to you.“Due attention will also be given to the education institution you talked about.”
The monarchs, led by the Olukare of Ikareland, Oba Akadiri Momoh, told the Speaker and other members of the House that their visit was to appreciate him for the opportunity given their subjects to serve the country in some standing committees of the House.
They also pleaded with the Speaker to intervene in the completion of an abandoned power transmission project in Oke Agbe, rehabilitation of the federal roads in their area, as well as the establishment of a federal tertiary institution within the constituency.
