THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Traditional rulers are the paramount authority or natural rulers in any given community. They provide a system of administration from which law and order came and provide a stable system of governance. The government sees traditional leadership as an institution that has to be utilized to support government in facilitating development at the local level and legitimizing the government of the day. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of traditional institutions in community development in Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. This paper seeks to explore the extent to which traditional leadership could be adapted to enhance good governance and local development. The paper is theoretical in nature and basically draws its arguments from secondary data including textbooks, journal articles and publications. The paper reveals that the current 1999 constitution, however did not mention the traditional institution at all thereby reversing most of the gains the institution made over the years. Traditional rulers possess accurate local knowledge and also have good networks of communication with the grassroots through title holders. Traditional rulers were accorded with responsibilities during colonial rule. They were members of colonial administration apparatus and were given wide power over matters in their respective communities. This paper therefore, concludes that, traditional rulers play a very significant role of informally managing conflicts through peace-making meetings when matters get out of hand. They also serve as advisory role to the local council. The paper recommends that for effective political transformation to be achieved, the need to involve traditional rulers is very vital. This is because they serve as bridge between the government and the people, and play advisory role to government in administration at both national and sub-national levels and play active role in conflict management and community development.