A bill which seeks respect for human dignity and promotion of modernity in the installation and burial of tradional rulers has passed second reading on the floor of the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The bill equally set to curb idolatry practices in the process of installation and burial of traditional rulers, thereby giving room for any deceased monarch in the State to be installed or buried in accordance with his or her religion or belief.
The Lawmakers spoke in unison while contributing to the second reading of the Ogun State Traditional Rulers (Installation and Burial Rites), Law 2020 during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo shortly after the motion for its second reading was moved by Hon. Akeem Balogun, seconded by Yusuf Amosun and unanimously supported by the Whole House through a voice vote.
Opening debate on the bill titled, “HB No 36/OG/2020- A Bill for a law to provide for the Preservation, Protection and Exercise by the traditional rulers of their fundamental Rights to be installed and Buried according to their Religions or Beliefs and for other related matters”, the Sponsor, Hon. Balogun said the bill became imperative as there was need to avoid archaic practices and embrace modern realities with a view to respecting the religious obligations of the traditional rulers during their installation and burial.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, Solomon Osho and Damilola Soneye who threw their weight behind the bill, said its passage would further redefine the State’s traditional system by putting a stop to act of cannibalism- a culture inherited from the dark ages.
Other members including Kemi Oduwole , Atinuke Bello and Abayomi Fasuwa also cited Sections 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) as the basis for upholding human dignity, positing that it was high time the traditional stools were made more attractive to positive minded citizenry of high pedigree, whose wealth of expertise could improve and bring development to their communities,
Responding, Oluomo stated that no person, especially traditional ruler should be subjected to any form of inhuman and degrading acts, which according to him were against development; he thereafter referred the bill to Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative actions.
