Aboriginal Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom of Niger Delta in the Framework of its Primordial House System of Governance and Natural Law towards Sustainable Development in the Kingdom (Published)
The Primordial House System of Governance of Primaeval Niger Delta’s Bonny Kingdom, enhanced by natural law, features as the bedrock of the civilization and good governance (GG) in the Kingdom. The Primordial House System of Governance of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom (Ibanise), which is comprised of present-day Bonny Kingdom and Opobo Kingdom, was originated and institutionalized by the Founding Ancestors of the Ancient Kingdom, led by three hierarchical categories of paramount natural rulers of the three tiers of government of the Kingdom, during the Kingdom’s aboriginal era. The hierarchical categories are Ikpangi-Sibidapu (Institutionalized Lineage Heads), Amadapu (Community/District Heads and thus helpmates to Kings/Monarchs [Amanyanapu]), and Amanyanabo (owner of the land/King). The posts, positions or offices of these hierarchical categories, which have been in existence from time immemorial in Bonny Kingdom, are those of honour, traditional public service, trust, social responsibility and statesmanship, which were originated, systematized and institutionalized by the Founding Ancestors of the Kingdom towards the wellbeing of the people, Houses and entire Kingdom. This study employs socio-legal methodology to examine the Primordial House System of Bonny Kingdom and the role of natural law, namely proto-natural law, during the aboriginal era of the Kingdom, before Opobo Kingdom was established from it parent Bonny Kingdom, during the Kingdom’s Civil War of 1869/70. It discusses the premier natural rulers of aboriginal Bonny Kingdom, as well as four generations of Okoloama Ingie KiriFajie, namely Bonny Kingdom (Ibanise), comprised of Fourteen Lineages/Families/Houses. On this note, from a historiographical background, the study makes a case for GG, fair play, social justice and harmonious ways of life in Bonny Kingdom, based on the good, transparent, responsible and accountable stewardship of traditional rulers, towards the wellbeing of the people and sustainable development of the Kingdom, particularly in the realm of apex, peak or paramount traditional rulership of the three tiers of government of the Kingdom, namely the Lineage, Country-House and overall Kingdom-wide tiers of traditional governance in the Kingdom. Besides, this study demonstrates how the aboriginal era of Bonny Kingdom underscores the Kingdom as a classic African primordial sovereign state and civilization, as well as a pride of Ancestral Ijaw nation, which contributed to the development and advancement of Primaeval Niger Delta region and beyond.
Citation: Edward T. Bristol-Alagbariya (2022) Aboriginal Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom of Niger Delta in the Framework of its Primordial House System of Governance and Natural Law towards Sustainable Development in the Kingdom, Global Journal of Politics and Law Research, Vol.10, No.3, pp.1-32
Keywords: Aboriginal Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, Bonny Kingdom, Duawaris, Good Governance, Natural Law, Niger Delta Region, Opuwaris, Primordial House System of Governance, Sustainable Development, Wellbeing
The Impact of Human Rights on Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Nigeria (Published)
Human rights and good governance are the salient elements of a well-functioning state and society. They are also mutually reinforced; for human rights principles provide a set of values to guide the work of government and other political and social actors. Good governance on the other hand is a key to sustainable development and without good governance human rights cannot be respected in a sustainable manner. The three concepts thus work hand in hand. However in countries like Nigeria where democracy and rule of law have not been fully nurtured the move towards implementing human rights and good governance principles into the daily functioning of state institutions can be a huge challenge. The probability that a nation will achieve the aims of sustainable development and participative democracy are all the greater if human rights are respected. The aim of this article is to ascertain the level of observance of respect of the human rights in Nigeria by the government authorities and other social actors and the impact such observance or otherwise has on governance and development in Nigeria. It is observed that though the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) makes an elaborate provision on human right, and that Nigeria has acceded to numerous international instruments on human rights, the problem of bad governance with the resultant inadequate development has a link with failure of the authorities that be, to adequately appreciate the requirements of human rights and apply them in governance. Furthermore a lot of the basic human rights as contained in Chapter II of the Nigerian Constitution are not enforceable, thus failure of the authorities to observe them cannot be questioned. It is advocated.
Keywords: Democracy, Good Governance, Government, Human Rights, Sustainable Development
The Governance of Tin Mining in Bangka-Belitung Archipelago Province (From Perspective of Good Governance) (Published)
The objective of this research is the governance of tin mining which has not given the prosperity effect in Bangka-Belitung Archipelago Province. The tin mining is held without certainty and it is illegal. The governance of tin mining problem was analyzed with qualitative method. Data collecting was held by interview, documentation study and observation with the stakeholders who are relevant to this research as the key informants. The conclusion showed that the governance of thin mining has not given the optimal prosperity effect. It is caused by the lack of synergy among the local government, private entrepreneurs, inhabitant and no legislation synchronization. The stakeholders still have orientation with economy. In this case, the government targeted the Original Area Income from mining sector. Entrepreneurs and inhabitant oriented to look for advantages as much as possible. Meanwhile, the governance unsure of the governance implementation in tin mining sector is still low at accountability, transparency, participation, law enforcement, eradication corruption, poverty reduction, an insight into the future, orientation deal, and decentralization, so it needs the synergy of the stakeholders like local government, private, inhabitant and experts association and the partnership between PT. Timah or private company with inhabitant has to be set.
Keywords: Good Governance, Prosperity, Tin Mining