In a groundbreaking gathering, traditional leaders from across Nigeria converged to celebrate the nation’s rich cultural tapestry and address pressing social issues, including the scourge of drug abuse. The Royal Culture event, held on Sunday, 1 September, 2024, at the Bola Event Centre in Ifako-Ijaye, Lagos, was a resounding triumph, featuring enlightening presentations, prestigious awards, and recognition of outstanding individuals and royalty.
The event, themed “The Nigeria’s Constitution and The Traditional Institutions in Nigeria,” was masterminded by the visionary Sarkin Samarin Yamma Development Initiative (SSY-DI), an organization dedicated to empowering traditional title holders to drive socioeconomic development and support government initiatives. The occasion showcased Nigeria’s cultural diversity in all its glory, with an array of dignitaries, traditional leaders, and youth representatives and chiefs in attendance.
His Eminent Amb. Dr. Fadilatu Shehu Abdulkadir Jimoh, JP, SARKIN QUADIRIYA OF AFRICA and UN Peace Ambassador, delivered a goodwill message that emphasized leadership, good governance, and the fear of God in discharging responsibilities. He urged traditional leaders to work together to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and address social issues affecting Nigerian youths. He stated, “We must recognize the importance of our cultural diversity and work towards promoting it. We must also address the social issues affecting our youths, such as drug abuse, and work towards finding solutions.”
Abubakar Liman Wali, State Commander, NDLEA Lagos Command, delivered a thought-provoking speech on the role of traditional leaders in curbing drug abuse. He appreciated the organizers for their efforts in combating drug abuse and promised the NDLEA’s partnership with the NGO to battle drug abuse among youths. He said, “Traditional leaders have a crucial role to play in curbing drug abuse. They must work with government agencies to address this issue and ensure that our youths are protected from the scourge of drug abuse.”
Dr. Nasir Wada Khalil, an expert on Royal Culture and Royal Induction, presented a comprehensive paper on how to go about Royal Rankings, Regalia, and Addressing. He emphasized the importance of proper guidance and responsibility in traditional title holders and offered to be a guide to traditional youth chiefs to promote Royal Culture. He stated, “Proper guidance and responsibility are essential for traditional title holders. They must be guided on how to conduct themselves and carry out their responsibilities. I offer myself as a guide to traditional youth chiefs to promote Royal Culture.”
Hon. Alabi Opeyemi Oladimeji, in his remarks, appreciated the organizers and assured traditional youth chiefs of being carried along in activities and benefits related to youths. He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of peace, emphasizing that the Lagos state government would support all Lagosians regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or age. He said, “I assure you that the Lagos state government will support all Lagosians, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or age. I encourage you to be good ambassadors of peace and work towards promoting unity and understanding.”
Mallam Rabiu Sulaiman Maikaji, Sarkin Hausawa of Agboju and representative of His Highness Mallam Haruna Maiyasin Katsina, JP, CON, Sarkin Sasa SARDAUNAN Yamma, and Chairman of Arewa Traditional Chiefs in 17 Southern States of Nigeria, appreciated the youths’ wind of traditional youths’ wing of the Emirate and endorsed the leadership. He promised to support them in all ramifications and commended all speakers for their presentations and advice. He stated, “I appreciate the youths’ wind of traditional youths’ wing of the Emirate and endorse the leadership. I promise to support them in all ramifications and commend all speakers for their presentations and advice.”
Sen. Dr. Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, was represented by his aide, Hon. Ahmad Bawa Jega, Senior Legislative Aide. He stated that his principal, being a nationalist and one of the most experienced legislative office holders and philanthropists, would definitely support the youths and add value to them. He encouraged the youthful chiefs to avoid social vices and drug abuse and be good ambassadors of the country. He said, “My principal will definitely support the youths and add value to them. I encourage you to avoid social vices and drug abuse and be good ambassadors of the country.”
H.H Alhaji Haruna Ahmed Kuraja, Sarki Hausawa Overall Alimosho, promised to put glamour into the Royal domain by ensuring the youths and traditional institutions support the government across all levels. He appreciated the organizers of the Royal Culture event and encouraged them to continue promoting cultural heritage.
Awards and recognition were bestowed on outstanding individuals and royal figures. Some of these include:
– His Eminent Amb. Dr. Shehu Abdulkadir Jimoh, who received the Global League Award for Humanitarian Support and Royal Culture Recognition.
– Dr. Chris Onyekachi Simon, CEO of Cosim Foundation, who received the Global League Award for Humanitarian Support.
– Abubakar Liman Wali, State Commander, NDLEA Lagos State Command, who received the Royal Culture Recognition.
– Hon. Comr. Alabi Opeyemi Oladimeji, who received the Royal Culture Recognition and FSSY-17ssn Recognition Awards.
– Mai Girma Sani Bello, Sarki Hausawa Iyanu, who received the Royal Recognition award.
– H. H Mal. Rabiu Sulaiman, Sarkin Agbaju, who received the FSSY-17ssn Recognition Award.
– His Royal Majesty, Oba Isiba Kamila, Olu of Agege, who received the FSSY-17ssn Recognition Award.
– H.H Abdulhamid Abubakar, Dan Iyan Yamma and Shugaban Hakiman Yamma, who received the FSSY-17ssn Recognition Award.
– His Royal Highness, Alh. Haruna Ahmed Karaja, Sarkin Alimosho Overall, who received the Royal Culture Per Excellent Award, presented with Royal Sword, and FSSY-17ssn Award.
– GAMBO I. Muhammad JARMAN SSY-17ssn, who received the Best Special Award and Best SSY Chief Award/Knight Sword Award.
The event’s success was marked by a promise to make it an annual fixture, underscoring the importance of traditional title holders in promoting culture and supporting government initiatives. The Sarkin Samarin Yamma, of the (17) Southern States of Nigeria, Amb. (Dr.) Salisu Sani Danmuttaqa, called on all to support the four cardinal projects of the Sarkin Samari Yamma Development Initiative (SSY-DI), especially combatting drug abuse in the country. He stated, “I call on all to support the four cardinal projects of the Sarkin Samari Yamma Development Initiative (SSY-DI), especially combatting drug abuse in the country. We must work together to address this issue and ensure that our youths are protected from the scourge of drug abuse.”
In a symbolic gesture of unity and solidarity, the traditional leaders and government representatives, pledged to work together to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and address the pressing issue of drug abuse among youths. The event served as a beacon of hope for a brighter future, where traditional leaders and government representatives and agencies collaborate to build a better Nigeria.
