Tinubu Pledges Support for Traditional Rulers as Pillars of Peace and Development

 

 

Tinubu Pledges Support for Traditional Rulers as Pillars of Peace and Development

 

 

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the importance of Nigeria’s traditional institutions as instruments of peace, unity, and progress, stressing that they are key partners in his administration’s nation-building agenda.

 

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu spoke at the annual Igede Agba Festival in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

 

First celebrated in September 1957 at Ihigile Market, the Igede Agba Festival is central to the agricultural calendar of the Igede people  the third-largest ethnic group in Benue. The festival serves as a thanksgiving for the yam harvest, the community’s most revered crop.

 

Senator Akume highlighted the crucial role of traditional rulers in fostering peace and stability, describing the institution as “a veritable tool for solving developmental and sundry issues” and a key player in peace-building, particularly in troubled areas.

 

He praised the Igede Traditional Council for preserving cultural heritage, which continues to unify the community, and reiterated that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is driving development across all regions. He noted that Benue State has benefited through federal appointments, infrastructural projects, and the award of the Oju–Ogoja road contract.

 

The paramount ruler of the Igede, Oga Ero (the Adiharu of Igede), expressed gratitude for the federal appointments and the approval of the road construction, describing it as a long-awaited relief for communities affected by decades of poor infrastructure.

 

Traditional institutions in Nigeria have historically played pivotal roles in maintaining social order, resolving disputes, and preserving cultural identity. Governments have often engaged them in community mobilisation, peace-building, and security efforts.

 

The Igede Agba Festival, beyond its cultural significance, provides a platform for government leaders, traditional authorities, and citizens to celebrate identity, unity, and collaboration. By reaffirming support for traditional institutions, the Tinubu administration aims to strengthen local structures that contribute to stability, cultural preservation, and national development.