Speaking on Wednesday at the 19th Northern Traditional Rulers and Governors’ Meeting in Kaduna, Sa’ad Abubakar III said the region could only overcome insecurity through unity, collaboration, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
According to the Sultan, security should not be left to security agencies, governors, or traditional rulers alone.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. We need to really come together and fight this menace of terrorism, abduction and whatever it is to the best of our ability,” he said.
The Sultan described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees for the Northern security intervention initiative as a major step toward addressing the region’s security challenges.
He said the board, made up of respected personalities from the 19 northern states, would provide practical solutions to insecurity and move beyond years of discussions.
“We’ve been talking through various papers. Today, with the inauguration of this committee, we believe we are ready to really start the job properly,” he stated.
The President-General of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council assured members of the board of the full support of traditional institutions, noting that traditional rulers possess valuable local knowledge that could aid security efforts.
He also stressed that the fight against insecurity must rise above religious and ethnic differences, describing unity as the North’s greatest strength.
The Sultan recalled that northern traditional rulers had consistently opposed violent extremism and submitted recommendations on addressing insecurity to the Northern Governors’ Forum in 2014.
He urged state governors to provide sustained funding for the new security initiative, saying adequate financial support would be essential for its success.
Expressing optimism, the Sultan said the region could overcome its security challenges through unity, commitment, and faith.
“There is nothing impossible when you believe in Almighty Allah. We do the best we can and leave the rest to Him,” he said.
