By Chris Nyamtu, Lafia
The Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd.), has urged political leaders at all levels to prioritise grassroots-oriented leadership to improve the living conditions of rural communities and accelerate economic development.
Justice Sidi Bage made the call during the turbaning of the Director-General, Nasarawa State Bureau for Rural Development, Mr. Mohammed Sidi, with the traditional title of Wakilin Ayukkan Lafia at the Palace of the Emir in Lafia.
The palace was filled to capacity as friends, family members and professional colleagues of the Director-General converged to witness the conferment of the traditional title.
Addressing the gathering through the Makwangijin Lafia, the Emir said the traditional institution would continue to encourage and support leaders committed to selfless service, good governance and the development of their communities.
He said the conferment was in recognition of Mr. Mohammed Sidi’s vision and commitment to transforming rural communities through the provision and improvement of road infrastructure since his appointment as Director-General of the Bureau for Rural Development.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Alhaji Haliru Arabo, described the conferment as well deserved, considering Mr. Sidi’s humility, loyalty and commitment to the implementation of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s rural development policies.
Alhaji Arabo also commended the Emir of Lafia for providing inclusive leadership aimed at transforming the emirate since his enthronement.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, the new Wakilin Ayukkan Lafia, Mr. Mohammed Sidi, described the conferment as a call to greater responsibility, assuring that it would spur him to dedicate himself further to selfless service to humanity.
Mr. Sidi pledged to sustain his commitment to infrastructure development in rural communities across Nasarawa State, in line with Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for rural development.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of a certificate to the new Wakilin Ayukkan Lafia, followed by a traditional procession to pay homage to his kinsmen at his ancestral home in Unguwar Doka within the Lafia Emirate.
