Tinubu Urges Northern Monarchs to Strengthen Grassroots Security Efforts
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged traditional rulers across Northern Nigeria to deepen grassroots efforts toward tackling insecurity, promoting peace, and strengthening national unity, stressing that security challenges cannot be resolved through military operations alone.
President Tinubu made the call on Monday at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Dutse, Jigawa State, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions in advancing peace, security, and development.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said traditional rulers remain critical partners in governance and peacebuilding because of their influence at the community level and their ability to mobilise citizens around important national objectives.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fully recognises the strategic role of traditional institutions and remains committed to deepening engagement with traditional rulers in advancing peace, security, national cohesion, and development,” Idris said while delivering the President’s message.
He noted that the Tinubu administration had continued to strengthen coordination among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions, resulting in significant gains against criminal and terrorist groups across parts of the country.
According to him, while military operations remain critical, lasting peace would require addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited economic opportunities.
“While challenges remain, the administration is sustaining military operations, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration. At the same time, we recognise that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security operations alone,” he said.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting, “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” the minister stressed that peace remains the foundation for prosperity and national development.
“Without peace, development becomes difficult; without unity, progress cannot be sustained. The pursuit of both must remain our collective responsibility,” he stated.
Idris commended the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, for its continued contributions to peace, unity, and security in Northern Nigeria, describing traditional rulers as custodians of culture, trusted mediators, and critical bridges between government and citizens.
He also called on monarchs to support efforts aimed at countering misinformation and promoting responsible citizenship, noting that traditional institutions remain among the most trusted voices within communities.
“In an age characterised by the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, traditional rulers remain among the most trusted leaders in our society. Your continued support in promoting truth, dialogue, tolerance, and responsible citizenship is essential to our collective progress,” he said.
The minister highlighted several Federal Government interventions aimed at driving economic growth and reducing insecurity, including programmes in agriculture, livestock development, infrastructure, education financing, and support for small businesses.
He described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a strategic intervention designed to modernise livestock production, improve productivity, reduce farmer-herder conflicts, and create jobs.
Idris also highlighted the Federal Government’s Legacy Highway Projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Abuja Super Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road Corridor, describing them as investments aimed at strengthening national integration and economic opportunities.
The minister further conveyed President Tinubu’s condolences to the family of the late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, the Government of Katsina State, and the traditional institution, describing the former military officer’s death in captivity as a painful national loss.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, senior government officials, security chiefs, and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria to deliberate on strategies for strengthening peace, unity, and development in the region.
By TimesNG