By Hassan TURAKI, Jigawa
Jigawa State Governor Mallam Umar Namadi has called for stronger collaboration among governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders, security agencies, and citizens to tackle insecurity and social vices affecting northern Nigeria.
The governor made the call on Sunday while declaring open the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, NTRC, in Dutse, themed “Peace, Unity, and Development of the North.”
The meeting brought together the Sultan of Sokoto and NTRC chairman, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum; Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu; and traditional rulers from the 19 northern states and the FCT.
Governor Namadi described the gathering as a timely platform for advancing practical solutions to the region’s growing security and socio-economic challenges.
He noted that northern Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse, climate pressures, farmer-herder conflicts, and a rising number of out-of-school children, stressing that no single institution can address the issues alone.
“Peace and security remain at the heart of our administration’s 12-point agenda and the broader vision of building a Greater Jigawa,” the governor said, adding that sustainable progress requires participatory governance and close collaboration with traditional and community structures.
Governor Namadi commended the NTRC for keeping peace, security, and social stability at the center of its engagements, describing traditional rulers as trusted partners whose influence is critical in strengthening community cohesion and resolving conflicts.
He also acknowledged efforts by the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address insecurity through intensified military operations, improved intelligence gathering, and better coordination among security agencies.
The governor disclosed that Jigawa has established community-based security and peace committees to strengthen dialogue, conflict resolution, early warning systems, and cooperation between communities and security agencies. He added that the state is also advancing initiatives on civic responsibility and the fight against drug abuse.
He urged traditional rulers to look beyond insecurity and address wider social ills weakening families and communities, warning that their consequences include trauma, displacement, loss of livelihoods, reduced access to education, and a growing number of orphans and widows.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto described the meeting as timely and necessary, saying issues such as insecurity, poverty, education, and youth development must remain central to national discourse because their impact is felt by all communities.
Earlier, the NTRC leadership paid a courtesy visit to Governor Namadi at the Government House, Dutse. The Sultan thanked the governor and the people of Jigawa for hosting the meeting, describing the state as “a young state but a very promising one.”
Governor Namadi appreciated the council for choosing Jigawa as host and described the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council as one of the country’s most important institutions.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi
