Traditional rulers key to peace, development in northern Nigeria – Gov Namadi

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has emphasised that traditional rulers have key roles to play in promoting peace, resolving conflicts and driving development across Northern Nigeria.

The governor stated this while declaring open the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC), held in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Monday.

The meeting, themed “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” brought together traditional rulers from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside government officials and security stakeholders.

Governor Namadi described traditional rulers as trusted partners in governance whose influence remains vital in strengthening community cohesion and maintaining social stability.

According to him, no government can effectively address the region’s numerous challenges without the active support and collaboration of traditional institutions.

“We recognize that sustainable progress can only be achieved through participatory governance and close collaboration with traditional institutions, religious leaders, community structures and other stakeholders,” the governor said.

He commended the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council for consistently placing peace, security and social stability at the centre of its engagements, noting that traditional rulers continue to play important roles in conflict resolution and community mobilisation.

The governor urged royal fathers to intensify efforts towards promoting responsible parenting, moral values and youth development, stressing that strong families and communities remain the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity.

Namadi further noted that his administration had established community-based security and peace committees to strengthen dialogue, conflict resolution, early warning systems and cooperation between communities and security agencies.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, reaffirmed the commitment of traditional rulers to supporting governments at all levels in addressing the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.

The Sultan said traditional institutions remain important partners in promoting peace, stability and development, adding that governors and traditional rulers must continue working together for the benefit of the people.

“The governors lead their respective states. We, as traditional rulers, are their partners. Our role is to support efforts aimed at bringing peace, stability and development to Northern Nigeria and to Nigeria as a whole,” he stated.