WorldStage– The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said that the reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu since he assumed office have been working for Nigeria’s development.
Though Abbas admitted that the reforms have been tough, he said they were necessary and that they require patience and demand sacrifice.
The Speaker was speaking at the presentation of utility vehicles to some traditional rulers in the Southern part of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday, which he facilitated through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
It was the second time the Speaker extended such gesture to the traditional institutions in the South, having done the first one in May this year, where six royal fathers benefited.
Previous beneficiaries nationwide included first-class and second-class traditional rulers across Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Delta, Ebonyi, Imo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, Nasarawa and the FCT, among others.
The beneficiaries of Sunday’s gesture are His Royal Majesty, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; His Royal Majesty, the Onikate of Ikate; His Eminence, the Paramount Ruler of Okobo Land in Akwa Ibom; Igwe Fidelis Ogbu of Enugu; His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert C. of Anambra; His Imperial Majesty, Oba Arole-Agbala of Ondo, among others.
Already, the Speaker said, Tinubu’s reforms have brought about “gradual stabilisation of exchange rates, improved fiscal discipline, growth in agriculture, better revenues for states, and a return of investor confidence,” adding “these improvements show that the path we are on is the right one.”
The Speaker reiterated that the “interventions were not acts of convenience,” but “a recognition of the indispensable contributions of our traditional leaders to peacebuilding, conflict mediation, religious harmony, cultural preservation and community development.”
He stated: “We remain firmly convinced that the cultural and traditional pillars of Nigeria must be supported, respected, and empowered because a stable nation begins with strong, trusted institutions at the grassroots.
“These vehicles are not gifts of comfort. They are tools for duty. They enhance the mobility and effectiveness of leaders who remain the first and most trusted point of contact for millions of our citizens.
“Traditional rulers are essential for conflict resolution, local intelligence, community mobilisation, and cultural stability. When they lack mobility, their ability to respond to emergencies, support development initiatives, and liaise with the government is limited. Enhancing their capacity is, therefore, a strategic investment in peace, order, and grassroots governance.”
In a diverse and complex federation like ours, the Speaker highlighted, “stable and credible traditional institutions are not a luxury. They are essential pillars of national cohesion. Supporting them does not compete with investments in schools, hospitals, or infrastructure. On the contrary, our action reinforces those investments by ensuring that communities are stable, organised, and receptive to development.
“More importantly, our intervention aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places strong institutions and community-rooted leadership at the heart of national renewal.”
Speaker Abbas stated that it is in recognition of the critical role traditional rulers play that the National Assembly is pursuing a constitutional amendment to define and protect such role.
He said the President Tinubu administration shares the conviction that the traditional institution is critical to the country’s development, which was why the President has consulted royal fathers across the country.
“He has invited them into major conversations on security and development. He has acknowledged their stabilising influence in moments of tension. His Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that national progress must begin in communities and harness the credibility of natural leaders. It is within this same spirit of reform and partnership that the broader economic measures of his administration must be understood.”
The Speaker underscored the need to protect the gains already achieved as Nigeria can not afford to reverse its progress, noting, “The reforms underway must be completed, consolidated and carried forward beyond 2027. This requires unity of purpose and consistent leadership.
“I therefore call on our revered traditional rulers to lend their voices, their influence, and their moral authority to ensuring continuity in the years ahead, so that the work we have started is not abandoned midway.”
He assured that the House would remain steadfast partners and allies who would continue to champion constitutional safeguards that protect and elevate the traditional institution.
