By Abdullahi Alhassan
Kaduna, Nigeria, April 16, 2026(Series News Online)- The Emir of Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Jibril, Mai Gwari II, has called for the formal inclusion of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s governance structure, saying they are indispensable to achieving enduring peace.
Emir Jibril made the call on Wednesday while presenting a keynote address at the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Strategic Forum.
He described monarchs as “communication anchors” positioned between government and the people. “Their dual embeddedness gives them a communicative advantage in translating policy into culturally intelligible meanings while channelling grassroots demands to government,” he said.
The Emir argued that sustainable peace goes beyond halting hostilities. “It demands transforming relationships and narratives,” he stated, citing Conflict Transformation Theory and Social Identity Theory.
He said traditional leaders in Kaduna’s multi-ethnic society influence collective identities, moderate perceptions between groups, and narrow divisive boundaries that often trigger conflict.
Referring to the crisis in Birnin Gwari, the monarch said the collapse was rooted in communication and trust, not just security.
“Traditional leaders reconstituted dialogue, deployed culturally grounded mediation, served as early warning systems, and promoted alternative narratives of coexistence,” he explained.
He noted that research from Taraba and other states shows formal security operations often fail when traditional institutions are sidelined.
While praising the Kaduna State Peace Model for recognising indigenous institutions, Jibril cautioned that constitutional ambiguity, political interference, limited funding, and waning influence among youths hinder traditional rulers.
He recommended formal representation on security councils, training in mediation and digital communication, and joint governance frameworks with non-governmental organisations.
“Without effective communication anchored by traditional leaders, policies on development and food security remain unrealised,” he warned.
Delivering welcome remarks, Chairman of the National Planning Committee for Nigeria Public Relations Week Croc City 2026, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said traditional rulers are the most credible link between government policy and community realities.
“They must deploy structured public relations tools to sustain peace and food security,” Badejo-Okusanya said.
He called the monarchs “the original communicators” whose voices carry history, wisdom, and moral clarity.
Kaduna was selected as host city for NPRW 2026, he said, because it is a place where diversity is lived daily and peace requires continuous effort. “Engagement with traditional institutions is central to the success of the week,” he added.
Badejo-Okusanya outlined five steps for traditional leaders to apply PR discipline: strategic communication to amplify peace and food security messages across palaces, markets, and worship centres; rumour management and crisis response through timely, credible action; structured engagement with government, media, and civil society; community listening systems to detect grievances early; and storytelling for unity to shape shared identity and progress.
He urged the royal fathers to serve as advocates for peace, custodians of community trust, and partners in nation-building. “We want Kaduna to showcase a model of harmony during the event,” he said.
He pledged that the committee would work with the monarchs “with humility and openness” to secure tangible results beyond the week for Kaduna’s stability and prosperity.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said collaboration between government and traditional rulers under the Kaduna State Peace Model has improved conflict resolution, restored trust, and strengthened social harmony.
“Kaduna is not just hosting conversations. It is offering a model. A model where tradition meets governance to build lasting peace and national stability,” Maiyaki stated.
He said the forum’s theme, “Kaduna State Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,” reflects the critical role of traditional institutions in building sustainable peace.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Sadiq Mamman Lagos, who represented Governor Uba Sani, said policies fail not because they are poorly written but because they are poorly communicated.
“Strategic communication is what turns government plans into real impact for citizens,” Mamman Lagos said.
He explained that clear, consistent, and inclusive communication helps farmers understand available support, how to access it, and why it matters, while allowing government to listen and adapt.
“Without trust, no policy can succeed. People must see transparency, hear consistency, and feel included,” he said.
He said the ministry considers local governments the tier closest to the people and will work through traditional leaders and community structures to ensure policies reach every citizen.
Mamman Lagos listed plans to strengthen communication between state and local governments, use traditional institutions as trusted voices, deploy modern and grassroots platforms to reach diverse audiences, and train local officials to communicate effectively.
He stressed that strategic communication is a shared duty. “We call on the media to remain accurate, civil society to engage constructively, development partners to align messages, and citizens to participate and hold government accountable,” he said.
He warned that food insecurity fuels poverty, malnutrition, low productivity, educational decline, banditry, and social instability.
“If we want better outcomes, we must communicate better. When we do, we will not only enhance food security, we will build trust, strengthen communities, and deliver real progress through wealth creation and job opportunities for our youths,” Mamman Lagos said.
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Traditional Rulers