By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna Traditional leaders are central to Nigeria’s peace architecture and must be integrated into form...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Traditional leaders are central to Nigeria’s peace architecture and must be integrated into formal governance systems, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Zubairu Jibril, Mai Gwari II, has said while delivering a keynote address at the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Strategic Forum
The Emir described traditional leaders as “communication anchors” whose dual embeddedness between state and community gives them a communicative advantage in translating policy into culturally intelligible meanings while channeling grassroots demands to government.
Emir Jibril said sustainable peace requires more than ending violence; it demands transforming relationships and narratives, citing Conflict Transformation Theory and Social Identity Theory. He noted that in Kaduna’s plural society, traditional leaders shape collective identities, moderate intergroup perceptions, and reduce divisive boundaries that often fuel conflict.
Drawing from the Birnin Gwari crisis, the Emir said the breakdown was not merely of security but of communication and trust. Traditional leaders,
The traditional ruler explained, that reconstituted dialogue, deployed culturally grounded mediation, served as early warning systems, and promoted alternative narratives of coexistence. Studies from Taraba and other states, he added, show formal security interventions often fail when they exclude traditional institutions.
While lauding the Kaduna State Peace Model for recognising indigenous institutions, Jibril warned that constitutional ambiguity, political interference, limited resources, and declining authority among youth constrain traditional leaders.
He urged institutional integration into security councils, capacity enhancement in mediation and digital communication, and collaborative governance with NGOs. He stressed that without effective communication anchored by traditional leaders, policies on development and food security remain unrealised.
In his welcome remark, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Nigeria Public Relations Week Croc City 2026, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said Traditional rulers remain the most credible bridge between government policies and grassroots realities and must deploy structured public relations tools to sustain peace and food security.
Badejo-Okusanya described the monarchs as “the original communicators” whose voices carry history, wisdom, and moral clarity.
He noted that Kaduna was chosen as host city for NPRW 2026 because it represents a place where diversity is lived daily and peace is a continuous effort, making the engagement with traditional institutions central to the success of the week.
He listed five pathways for traditional leaders to infuse PR discipline into their influence: strategic communication to reinforce peace and food security messages across palaces, markets, and places of worship; rumour management and crisis response using timely, credible intervention; structured stakeholder engagement with government, media, and civil society; community listening systems to hear grievances early; and storytelling for unity to shape narratives of shared identity and progress.
The NPRW chairman sought the partnership of the royal fathers as advocates for peace, custodians of community trust, and partners in nation-building to ensure Kaduna showcases a model of harmony during the event.
He assured the committee would work with the traditional rulers “with humility and openness” to deliver tangible outcomes beyond the week for the stability and prosperity of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, shed light on the far reaching impact of the Kaduna State Peace Model, emphasizing how collaboration between government and traditional rulers has strengthened conflict resolution mechanisms, restored trust, and reinforced social harmony across the state.
"Kaduna is not just hosting conversations, it is offering a model. A model where tradition meets governance to build lasting peace and national stability. With the compelling theme “Kaduna State Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,” the forum highlights the critical role of traditional institutions in shaping sustainable peace across communities.
Also speaking Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and chieftancy affairs, Honourable. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, how Represent the Governor Uba Sani said Policies fail not because they are poorly written but because they are poorly communicated, stressed that strategic communication is what turns government plans into real impact for citizens.
Mamman Lagos said clear, consistent, and inclusive communication ensures farmers know what support exists, how to access it, and why it matters, while also enabling government to listen and adjust.
He noted that without trust, no policy can succeed, adding that people must see transparency, hear consistency, and feel included. The ministry, he said, recognises local governments as the closest tier to the people and will work through traditional leaders and community structures to ensure policies reach every citizen.
The commissioner outlined commitments to strengthen state-local government communication channels, leverage traditional institutions as trusted voices, use modern and grassroots platforms to reach diverse audiences, and build capacity of local officials to communicate effectively.
He, however, stressed that strategic communication is not government’s responsibility alone and called on the media to remain accurate, civil society to engage constructively, development partners to align messages, and citizens to participate and hold government accountable.
Warning that food insecurity creates a cycle of poverty, malnutrition, low productivity, educational setbacks, banditry, and social instability, Mamman Lagos said translating policy into tangible outcomes requires collective effort.
“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" he said.
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