NOA Engages Traditional Rulers to Boost Voter Registration in Nasarawa State
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has embarked on a mission to partner with traditional rulers in Nasarawa State to facilitate a smooth voter registration process.
Princess Dr. Priscilla Gondoaluor, Zonal Director of NOA’s North Central zone, made this statement during an advocacy visit to the palace of the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, on Thursday.
Leading a delegation from the National Orientation Agency to the palace of the Emir of Keffi, the Zonal Director of the North Central zone, Dr. Priscilla Gondoaluor, told the Emir of Keffi that the National Orientation Agency deemed it necessary to collaborate with traditional rulers to facilitate a hitch-free voter registration process.
According to her, traditional rulers in Nasarawa State, such as the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, are expected to play a crucial role in promoting the voter registration exercise and ensuring its success.
“The Emir of Keffi, having worked with us while I was in office as state director… we know that traditional rulers work very closely with the masses at the local level and they are in a better position to support us, to mobilize their subjects for the exercise.”- Dr. Priscilla Gondialuor
Dr. Gondoaluor emphasized that continuous voter registration is essential for maintaining an updated and accurate voters’ register, which is critical for credible elections and urged all stakeholders to support the project to promote fairness acceptable to all.
Gondoaluor, the immediate past Nasarawa State Director of NOA, disclosed that her duty is to tour the North Central states to sensitize, educate, and create awareness among citizens on the importance of having voter cards, said this will enable them to choose leaders who will make impactful contributions to their lives.
She maintained that traditional rulers are very close to the masses, hence the need to collaborate with them to achieve the desired objective. Stressing that the Emir of Keffi has contributed to the development and growth of the agency, she called on him to sustain the effort.
She also pointed out that insecurity is a major challenge for the organization’s success in terms of registration of voters. She said the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been doing a lot to reduce insecurity, which has continued to yield positive results.
“Government has been doing a lot towards addressing insecurity but we must come together to fight the menace, we think, traditional rulers are the number one people to take our campaign to that is why we are here to see the traditional ruler of Keffi Chiefdom”.
Responding, the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, commended Dr. Gondoaluor and NOA for their initiatives and promised to provide support for the voter registration exercise.
The Emir urged NOA officers in Keffi local government to work with district, village, and ward heads to create awareness about the ongoing voter registration exercise.
