The Chairman, Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, on Wednesday, expressed grave concerns about the deteriorating socio-economic conditions and escalating insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
He said this during the 6th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council at the Arewa House in Kaduna state.
Highlighting the current economic downturn causing immense hardship for Nigerians, Sultan Abubakar emphasized the critical nature of the situation.
He stated, “We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder, having teeming youths, millions of them, without jobs, without food; we are looking for trouble.”
The Sultan lamented the twin challenges of poverty and insecurity, labeling them as monsters that, if not urgently addressed, could spell doom for the nation.
He stressed the duty of traditional leaders to calm the populace and assured them that solutions were being sought.
Addressing the recent protests in Minna, Kano, and Ondo over the rising cost of living, the Sultan pointed out that Nigerians’ silence should not be misconstrued, stating, “Nigerians are hungry and angry.”
He called for immediate measures to engage the unemployed youth and alleviate their plight.
While acknowledging the complexity of the issues, Sultan Abubakar clarified that the issues were not solely the result of the current administration but an ongoing challenge from the preceding government.
He underscored the traditional leaders’ responsibility to find solutions and acknowledged that people were “agitated” and in need of reassurance.
The closed-door session of the meeting delved into critical matters such as health, insecurity, and poverty in the northern region. Key figures present included Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iyerste, various traditional rulers, prominent members of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Coalition of Northern Groups, and representatives from law enforcement agencies.
As Nigeria grapples with these pressing concerns, the Sultan of Sokoto’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts to address the economic and security challenges plaguing the nation.
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