By Hussaina Yakubu and Maryam Ahmadu-Suka
The Nigeria Public Relations Week (NIPRW) tagged “Croc City 2026” has commenced with a high level engagement of traditional rulers under the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Strategic Forum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that spotlighting the pivotal role of indigenous institutions in peacebuilding and national stability, the forum themed, “The Kaduna Peace Model: Traditional Leadership and National Stability,” brought together royal fathers, policymakers, and communication experts.
The participants are expected to examine sustainable approaches to conflict resolution and development.
Presenting the Kaduna Peace Model at the event on Thursday in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, outlined critical roles expected of traditional leaders in consolidating peace across communities.
Maiyaki emphasised that traditional rulers must act as active partners in peacebuilding rather than passive observers, noting their strategic position in intelligence gathering and strengthening community resilience.
He added that they should lead dispute resolution efforts, promote inclusive dialogue and tolerance, and highlight the socio economic benefits of peaceful coexistence.
According to him, traditional institutions must also support early warning systems and conflict sensitive mechanisms to prevent escalation of tensions.
“The Kaduna Peace Model proves that security without humanity is insecurity in disguise.
“Dialogue, inclusion, and development remain the surest path to peace. In Kaduna today, the roads are open and hope is audible again,” Maiyaki said.
In a keynote address, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Jibril Maigwari, described traditional rulers as central actors within the governance and peace architecture of the state.
Speaking on the topic “Traditional Leaders as Communication Anchors: The Architecture of Community Relations, Peacebuilding and Development,” the emir stressed that traditional institutions serve as critical intermediaries between government and grassroots communities.
He explained that their legitimacy, rooted in culture and history, gives them a unique communicative advantage in translating government policies into locally understood realities while articulating community concerns to policymakers.
Drawing on conflict transformation and social identity theories, the emir noted that sustainable peace requires more than ending violence, but transforming relationships, narratives, and social structures.
He cited the Birnin Gwari experience, where traditional leaders helped rebuild trust, facilitated dialogue, and countered misinformation during periods of crisis.
“The intervention of traditional leaders was fundamentally communicative before it was administrative.
“They restored dialogue, enabled culturally grounded mediation, and acted as early warning systems within their communities,” he said.
The emir, however, highlighted structural challenges limiting the effectiveness of traditional institutions, including constitutional ambiguity, political interference, and inadequate integration into formal governance systems.
He called for clearer institutional roles, capacity building, and stronger collaboration between traditional rulers, government, and development partners.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Planning Committee, Yomi Badejo Okusanya, underscored the importance of traditional rulers in shaping public communication and fostering trust.
He described Kaduna as a symbolic host for the event, noting that peace remains the foundation for achieving food security and national development.
“No policy can succeed without peace. No agricultural system can thrive amid instability,” he said.
Badejo Okusanya urged traditional leaders to adopt structured communication strategies, manage misinformation, and strengthen stakeholder engagement to enhance peacebuilding efforts.
He added that their roles as custodians of trust and community storytellers remain critical in promoting unity and collective progress.
The Nigeria Public Relations Week 2026, themed “Food Security: From Policy Papers to Public Plate, The Public Relations Imperatives,” is expected to feature a series of engagements aimed at aligning communication strategies with national development priorities.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
