Ex-defence minister, Danjuma others urge Nigerians to remain loyal to leaders
As Nigeria grapples with complex political and economic challenges, former Defence Minister, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), has emphasized the critical role of loyalty to leadership and the traditional institution in sustaining peace, democratic growth, and national development.
Speaking in Ganye, Adamawa State on Saturday during the silver jubilee celebration of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Sanda, the Gangwari Ganye, General Danjuma was conferred with the traditional title of Gang Paan Ganye, an honour acknowledging his contributions to national unity and service.
Related news
Ribadu commiserates with APC, Ganye chiefdom over death of lawmaker
In his remarks, Danjuma urged Nigerians to remain loyal and cooperative with leaders at all levels, stressing that such civic commitment was the bedrock of societal progress.
He charged the people, to maintain loyalty to their leaders and to Nigeria at large for peace and development to be rooted in the country.
Danjuma, who chaired the jubilee celebration, took the moment to reflect on the enduring importance of traditional leadership. “Time is running out of me rapidly as you can see, I’m a sick old man,” he noted. “But I must say, our traditional rulers deserve to be celebrated for their critical role in conflict resolution and sustaining peace in our communities.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, echoed similar sentiments, describing traditional rulers as “bridge builders” whose wisdom and authority are essential to the country’s unity. He assured the traditional institutions of continued government support, urging them to remain agents of stability and change in their domains.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State praised the Gangwari Ganye for his unwavering commitment to peace and agricultural development over his 25-year reign. According to the governor, the state government has benefited immensely from the collaborative relationship it enjoys with traditional institutions.
“Today is a celebration of wisdom. Your reign has brought stability and agricultural growth to Ganye and its environs,” Fintiri said. “The traditional institution remains indispensable to democracy and economic development.”
In his appreciation remarks, Gangwari Ganye reaffirmed the vital role traditional rulers play in governance, conflict resolution, and grassroots development. He called for greater government recognition and involvement of traditional institutions beyond their current advisory role.
“We work diligently with State and Local Government authorities to address socio-political challenges. There is hardly any issue we are not part of solving,” he noted. “We call on all tiers of government to empower traditional institutions to play a more active role in governance and development.”
The royal father reiterated his commitment to peace and national unity, pledging the loyalty of traditional leaders to the government and to the ideals of building a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
The silver jubilee celebration brought together a host of dignitaries, royal fathers, political leaders, and community stakeholders in what many described as a symbolic gathering that reaffirms the relevance of traditional rulers in modern governance and the enduring importance of loyalty, peace, and cooperation in nation-building.
