By Victor Ahiuma-Young
The Emir of Zuru, His Royal Highness, Muhammad Sanusi Mikailu, Sami Gomo III, has commended Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, for what he described as remarkable achievements in security, infrastructure and people-centred governance, saying the administration has restored hope and accelerated development across the Zuru Emirate.
The commendation came during an engagement between the Kebbi State Government media team and traditional rulers in the Zuru Emirate, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation to the Kebbi State Governor, Ibrahim Jombali.
The meeting, attended by traditional rulers and government officials, provided an opportunity to review the administration’s performance while strengthening collaboration between the government and traditional institutions in promoting peace, security and sustainable development.
Speaking during the engagement, the Emir said Governor Idris had demonstrated an unwavering commitment to people-oriented governance through the execution of projects that directly impact the lives of citizens.
He particularly praised the administration’s expansive infrastructure programme, describing the ongoing Dabai–Mahuta–Koko Road as a strategic project that would improve connectivity, facilitate commerce, boost agricultural activities and stimulate socio-economic growth across communities in the emirate.
According to the monarch, the road project is not only opening up rural communities for economic opportunities but also serving as a strong instrument for promoting unity and cooperation among the people of Kebbi State.
The Emir also acknowledged remarkable improvements in the security situation across the emirate, noting that the restoration of peace had revived economic activities, encouraged residents to return to their farms and businesses and renewed confidence in government.
He further applauded Governor Idris’ consultative approach to governance, saying the administration has consistently involved traditional rulers and community leaders in decisions affecting their people.
According to him, such engagement has strengthened the role of traditional institutions as partners in governance rather than ceremonial institutions, thereby ensuring that government policies enjoy grassroots support.
The monarch also commended the renovation of palaces across the emirate’s chiefdoms, describing the intervention as a deliberate effort to preserve the dignity, relevance and institutional capacity of traditional leadership.
He expressed appreciation for the provision of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to traditional rulers, saying the gesture has significantly improved their mobility and enhanced their ability to respond promptly to community issues.
On security, the Emir lauded the construction of a Mobile Police Barracks and the establishment of Forward Base Operations in strategic locations within the emirate.
He said the initiatives have strengthened the security architecture of the area and created a safer environment for residents, investors and businesses.
While applauding the administration’s achievements, the Chiefdoms of Wasagu and Dabai called for stronger collaboration between security agencies and traditional institutions, particularly in intelligence gathering and early warning mechanisms.
The traditional rulers argued that district heads, village heads and palace authorities possess first-hand knowledge of their communities and are often the first to detect suspicious movements, emerging conflicts and other security concerns.
They noted that integrating traditional rulers into formal security frameworks would improve preventive policing and enhance public confidence in the government’s security strategy.
According to them, lasting peace cannot be achieved through military deployment alone but requires active community participation, local ownership and mutual trust between government, security agencies and the people.
The meeting ended with renewed commitment by both the Kebbi State Government and the traditional institution to deepen cooperation in advancing peace, security and inclusive development across the state.
Participants observed that the engagement reflected Governor Idris’ philosophy of governance anchored on consultation, partnership and shared responsibility, where communities are recognised as active stakeholders in development.
They maintained that the interaction demonstrated how government and traditional institutions can work together to advance common aspirations, noting that while infrastructure projects connect communities physically, trust and collaboration remain the strongest pillars for achieving lasting peace, stability and sustainable development.
The traditional rulers also expressed optimism that the administration’s continued investment in infrastructure, security and community engagement would consolidate the gains already recorded and further improve the welfare of the people.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting government policies and programmes aimed at promoting peace, unity and socio-economic development across Kebbi State.
