Mohamed Garba
In a move to strengthen the state’s grassroots security network, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has donated 23 SUVs to traditional leaders, emphasizing the critical role of monarchs in maintaining peace and stability. The donation ceremony, held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House yesterday, was a powerful demonstration of the government’s commitment to community-level security and development.
Governor Sani lauded the traditional rulers for their tireless efforts in liaising with security agencies. “They have been working day and night, sharing intelligence with security agents and ensuring that they are always close to our people at the community level. That is the reason why our non-kinetic approach towards addressing insecurity is working,” he remarked during the event. He attributed Kaduna State’s peaceful environment over the past two years—a period marked by the absence of ethno-religious or communal clashes—to the synergy between the state government and local leaders.
The provision of SUVs is designed not only as a gesture of appreciation but also as a practical measure to enhance the operational capacity of traditional leaders. Speaking through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the initiative was highlighted as part of a broader collaboration aimed at reinforcing the engagement of traditional rulers in peacebuilding and governance. Abbas explained, “These vehicles are not just for ceremonial purposes; they are meant to serve as essential working tools to aid our traditional rulers in reaching every part of their chiefdoms and emirates.”
Governor Sani emphasized that the success of security and development initiatives in Kaduna hinged on the seamless collaboration between government officials, traditional institutions, religious figures, and community leaders. Recalling his previous contributions as a senator, he noted that bringing interventions worth over ₦20 billion to the state was only possible through such partnerships. Among the highlighted projects is the near-completion of the Faculty of Engineering at Kaduna State University, a venture valued at over ₦12 billion, spearheaded by Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Mohammed Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, and supported by Speaker Abbas.
“This is the synergy we are talking about. Despite the fact that we couldn’t complete the project during my Senate term, one of the sons of Kaduna State is now working closely with the Speaker to ensure that the project reaches fruition,” the governor remarked, emphasizing that unity is the cornerstone of both security and developmental progress.
The impact of the vehicle donation extends beyond immediate security concerns. Speaker Abbas announced plans to extend the initiative by renovating palaces across all three senatorial districts, a move earmarked in the 2025 federal budget. Furthermore, an ongoing constitutional amendment is expected to formalize the role of traditional rulers in Nigeria’s governance structure, with Abbas affirming that “the National Assembly will do everything humanly possible to carve out a prominent role for our traditional rulers beginning from 2026.”
As Kaduna State continues to shine as one of the most peaceful sub-national entities in Nigeria, Governor Sani’s gesture reflects a pragmatic blend of tradition and modernity. By equipping traditional leaders with the necessary tools to serve their communities, the state reaffirms its commitment to unity, security, and sustained development.
