The Chairman of the Council of Yoruba Traditional Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, His Royal Highness Amb. Mohammed Arigbabuwo, has called on Nigerians to reject ethnic division and religious violence, saying “the problem of one Nigerian should be the concern of every Nigerian.”

Speaking at the Arewa Awareness Summit on Insecurity, organized by the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACI), in kaduna, the royal father described the gathering as “timely and important” at a time when insecurity remains a major concern.

“Security is not the work of government alone. It is the responsibility of all of us,” he told traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials and security chiefs present.

While Commending security forces and urged support for government,
Amb. Arigbabuwo equally applauded the Federal Government for its continued efforts to fight insecurity and paid tribute to security personnel who have paid the supreme price.

He recognised the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt-Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; and DSS DG, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.

“We pray for wisdom and success for them, and for protection for all our security personnel,” he said.

The monarch urged Nigerians to support government, stressing that “when government succeeds in providing security, our families benefit. When our country has peace, our businesses, our farmers, our children and our communities benefit.”

“Support does not mean that we cannot give advice or point out what needs to improve. But we must understand that government needs the cooperation of the people. If government succeeds, we all gain. If government fails, the people suffer.” he said.

The Yoruba leader in the North highlighted the critical role of traditional and religious institutions in peacebuilding.

He also acknowledged the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

“As Chairman of the Council of Yoruba Traditional Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, I have always seen my role as a bridge between communities, a bridge between the North and the South, a bridge between different cultures and religions, and between the people and government,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to “respect and support our traditional rulers and religious leaders” because “they are close to our communities. They understand our people and can help prevent conflict before it becomes a crisis.”

Amb. Arigbabuwo warned against hatred and division, saying: “If there is peace in the North, the South benefits, If there is peace in the South, the North benefits. We are one people, and Nigeria is our common home.”

He urged all stakeholders, government, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities to “choose peace, unity, development and choose Nigeria.”

The royal father commended the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative for convening the summit and expressed hope that it would lead “not only to words, but to real action for peace and security.”

The summit continues with discussions aimed at producing a regional framework to tackle insecurity across Northern Nigeria.

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