By ENYIM ENYIM
ONITSHA— Anambra State government has threatened to sanction any traditional ruler who failed to provide adequate security for the lives and property of the people in his domain.

Secretary to the State Government, Chief Paul Odenigbo, who spoke to newsmen after he was conferred with the title of Odenigbo by the traditional ruler of Agulu, Igwe Innocent Obodoakor, said the royal fathers had a big role to play in the area of security in their respective communities.

“The traditional rulers have a role to play in the area of security and should be able to fish out criminals in their communities. Any traditional ruler who tells you that he does not know what is happening in his domain is telling lie,” he said.

Odenigbo advised the royal fathers to brace up for the challenges of their offices in the interest of their subjects and government in its bid to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.

Besides,Odenigbo cautioned monarchs in the state on conferment of chieftaincy titles on persons of questionable characters, if the traditional institution must regain its age long respect.

Odenigbo, a two-time secretary to the state government, said royal fathers should give titles to persons with credible and good antecedent.

He suggested that any monarch, especially in the eastern part of the country who conferred titles on people of questionable character should be sanctioned to serve as a deterrence to others.

According to him, any person that should be considered for titles should be properly screened and must have contributed immensely to the development of their respective communities and the society in general.

He said:  “When somebody is given recognition by any traditional ruler, it means that person must have assisted the community in its development and before that is done, that person must be properly screened to make sure that he is credible to be so honoured.”

Besides, the SSG charged traditional rulers to be alive to their duty of ensuring the security of lives and property in their respective domains.

“The traditional rulers have a role to play in the area of security and should be able to fish out criminals in their communities. Any traditional ruler who tells you that he does not know what is happening in his domain is telling lie,” he added

Odenigbo advised the royal fathers to brace up to the challenges of their offices in the interest of their subjects and government in its bid to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.