Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang presented brand new Exeed VX sport utility vehicles to first class traditional rulers to mark his 61st birthday, amid unheeded calls from some communities for the government to accord priority to basic social infrastructure, such as school buildings.
The state government disclosed the vehicle presentation in a statement issued on Thursday by Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor.
Mr Bere said the SUVs were given to members of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs to enhance their mobility and underscore the role of traditional institutions in local governance.
According to the statement, the event at the Old Government House in Rayfield, Jos, was part of activities marking the governor’s birthday.
Exeed VX is a premium SUV manufactured by Chery Automobile, a major Chinese automaker.
Governor Mutfwang described traditional rulers as part of the critical leadership structure of modern society. He said the gift was conceived in collaboration with the 17 local government councils.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that our traditional rulers have become part of the critical leadership structure of modern society,” the governor was quoted as saying.
He noted that the presentation represented the first phase of broader efforts to improve chiefs’ welfare, and that arrangements were being made to establish a dedicated maintenance facility for the vehicles at a mechanical workshop the government plans to revive.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ephraim Usman, said the gesture reflected the administration’s commitment to repositioning traditional institutions.
He pointed to progress in resolving long standing chieftaincy matters, filling vacant stools and selecting district and village heads with minimal litigation.
Jacob Gyang, chairperson of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, thanked the governor for the recognition, urging further attention to the welfare of all traditional rulers and quicker resolution of vacancies.
