Gumel, Jigawa State, December 5, 2025 – Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protect and preserve Nigeria’s traditional institutions, describing them as timeless pillars of society that far outlast elected political office holders.
Speaking at the colourful 45th coronation anniversary of the Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II, CON, and the commissioning of the newly built Gumel Central Mosque, the Vice President stressed that traditional rulers remain the closest leaders to the grassroots and serve as the enduring custodians of culture, peace, unity and stability.
“Traditional rulers are the closest to the grassroots. They are the leaders and fathers of society, and their institutions outlive every administration,” Shettima declared. “The tenure of every elective political office holder ends after a maximum of eight years, but the traditional institutions remain forever. Therefore, we must respect them, take care of them, and preserve as well as protect the institution.”
The Vice President, who described Gumel as “home,” traced the rich history of the emirate founded in 1750 by the warrior Danjuma and expressed delight at returning to celebrate one of its illustrious sons. He congratulated the Emir on clocking 45 years on the throne and prayed for divine strength and long life so that the monarch would witness both his golden jubilee in 2030 and, God willing, a centenary celebration.
Shettima also used the occasion to shower encomiums on the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), describing him as “a symbol of unity in our country.” He noted that hardly a week passes without the Sultan travelling across the length and breadth of Nigeria to build bridges of understanding and harmony.
In his own remarks, the Sultan urged Nigerians to continue to uphold unity, tolerance and mutual respect irrespective of religious or cultural differences. He congratulated the Emir of Gumel on the milestone and commended Vice President Shettima for his consistent advocacy for the protection of traditional institutions.
The Vice President equally praised Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, for cultivating 10,000 hectares of wheat — an achievement he said surpasses the combined wheat production of 18 northern states. He described the feat as a testament to Governor Namadi’s commitment to food security and economic development, aligning perfectly with President Tinubu’s agricultural revolution agenda.
Governor Namadi, in his welcome address, expressed profound gratitude to Vice President Shettima for honouring the invitation, saying the visit reaffirmed the federal government’s support for Jigawa’s developmental strides, especially in agriculture, infrastructure and human capital development.
The commissioning of the magnificent Gumel Central Mosque, constructed through community effort and public-private partnership, added spiritual grandeur to the day’s activities. The mosque, with its imposing minarets and expansive prayer halls, is expected to become a major centre for Islamic learning and social cohesion in the region.
- The well-attended event brought together an array of dignitaries, including:
- Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President)
- Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
- Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, former member of the House of Representatives
- Alhaji Aminu Usman, Deputy Governor of Jigawa State
- Hon. Haruna Dangaji, Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly
- Emir of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Albishir Bukar Machinama
- Emir of Dutse, Muhammad Hameem Nuhu Sanusi
- Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Maje
- Members of the Jigawa State Executive Council
- Federal and state lawmakers
The ceremony underscored the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in modern governance and their critical role in fostering peace, cultural preservation and grassroots mobilisation. Observers noted that Vice President Shettima’s repeated emphasis on protecting traditional rulers reflects a deliberate policy direction of the Tinubu administration to deepen collaboration with royal fathers in tackling insecurity, promoting national unity and driving rural development.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with socio-economic challenges, the Gumel event served as a powerful reminder that the country’s traditional institutions remain indispensable partners in nation-building — institutions that, as Vice President Shettima aptly put it, “remain forever” long after elected leaders have left the stage.
