The Etsu Nupe and chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 20th anniversary on the throne.

The Etsu Nupe, in a congratulatory message on Monday, described the milestone as a remarkable celebration of two decades of purposeful leadership, spiritual guidance, service to Islam and commitment to peace, unity and national development.

He said the sultan had, over the years, distinguished himself as a respected traditional ruler, religious leader and elder statesman whose contributions to promoting peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and national cohesion had earned him respect across Nigeria and beyond.

Mr Abubakar noted that the sultan’s reign demonstrated the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in promoting moral values, fostering mutual understanding, and supporting efforts to build a peaceful, united, and prosperous society.

He said the sultan’s leadership of the Sokoto caliphate and the NSCIA had provided an important platform for advancing the spiritual interests of the Muslim Ummah, promoting Islamic teachings and encouraging dialogue on issues affecting the country.

According to him, the sultan’s consistent advocacy for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds has reinforced the importance of mutual respect, tolerance and collective responsibility in nation-building.

The Etsu Nupe commended the sultan for his statesmanship, wisdom, humility and commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, noting that his counsel and interventions remained valuable in strengthening understanding and harmony among communities.

He said the sultan continued to demonstrate that traditional and religious leadership goes beyond preserving cultural heritage and religious values to include promoting peace, justice, unity, and the general well-being of the people.

The monarch also noted that the sultan’s distinguished service to Nigeria, including his military career before ascending the throne in 2006, reflected a longstanding commitment to duty, discipline, patriotism and service to humanity.

He said the sultan’s two decades on the throne provided an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of traditional rulers to national stability and the need to sustain collaboration among traditional institutions, governments, religious organisations and other stakeholders.

Mr Abubakar further stressed the importance of strengthening the relationship between traditional and religious leaders in addressing contemporary challenges, including insecurity, poverty, social disunity and the need to promote education and peaceful community relations.

(NAN)