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Tinubu seeks stronger synergy with traditional rulers on security, development
President Bola Tinubu says the federal government remains committed to strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions to advance peace, security, national cohesion and sustainable development across the country.
Mr Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The minister, in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, conveyed the president’s message to traditional rulers and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria.
He said the Tinubu administration fully recognised the strategic role of traditional institutions and remained committed to deepening engagement with traditional rulers in advancing peace, security, national cohesion and development.
Mr Idris commended the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, for its contributions to peace, unity, security and development in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on the meeting’s theme, “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” the minister described peace as the foundation for development and prosperity.
“Without peace, development becomes difficult; without unity, progress cannot be sustained. The pursuit of both must remain our collective responsibility,” he said.
Mr Idris said traditional rulers remained critical partners in governance and peacebuilding because of their close relationship with communities and their ability to mobilise citizens around important national objectives.
“Across generations, our traditional rulers have served as custodians of culture and values, mediators in times of conflict, and trusted bridges between government and the people.
“Your proximity to the grassroots and your moral authority make you indispensable partners in governance, peacebuilding and community mobilisation,” he said.
On security, the minister said the federal government had strengthened coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions, resulting in gains against criminal and terrorist groups in several parts of the country.
“While challenges remain, the administration is sustaining military operations, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.
“At the same time, we recognise that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security operations alone. We must also address poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and the lack of economic opportunities that often fuel insecurity.”
The minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at creating jobs, improving livelihoods and supporting long-term economic growth.
He listed the initiatives to include interventions in agriculture, livestock development, solid minerals, infrastructure, education financing, consumer credit and support for small businesses.
Mr Idris described the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a landmark decision that would modernise livestock production, improve productivity, support pastoral and farming communities and reduce conflicts associated with competition for natural resources.
According to him, the ministry is a strategic intervention in a sector with significant potential for job creation, food security, export earnings and economic growth.
The minister also highlighted the gederal government’s four Legacy Highway Projects — the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Abuja Super Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road Corridor.
He said the projects would strengthen national integration, improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, expand access to markets and create jobs.
“These highways will improve connectivity, reduce transportation costs, expand access to markets, create jobs, and support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods.
“Beyond their economic value, they are investments in national unity,” he said.
Mr Idris further said the Renewed Hope Agenda was creating opportunities for Nigerians through programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and targeted support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He emphasised that development programmes could only succeed when citizens understood them and actively participated in them.
According to him, traditional rulers have an important role to play in promoting public awareness and countering misinformation.
“In an age characterised by the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, traditional rulers remain among the most trusted leaders in our society.
“Your continued support in promoting truth, dialogue, tolerance, and responsible citizenship is essential to our collective progress,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence that the meeting would generate practical recommendations to strengthen peace, deepen unity and accelerate development across Northern Nigeria and the country.
He also conveyed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, the traditional institution and the family of the late retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar.
Mr Idris described the deceased as a distinguished patriot whose death was a tragic loss to the nation.
“We mourn the loss of a distinguished patriot who served Nigeria with honour and dedication. His death is a painful reminder of the urgent need to sustain our collective efforts against insecurity,” he said.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting peace, unity and development in Northern Nigeria.
Among those in attendance were Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Others were the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; the Emir of Hadejia, Adamu Abubakar Maje; the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; and the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, among others.
(NAN)
The federal government has launched the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services.
The framework introduces nutrition standards for food purchased with public funds as part of efforts to reduce unhealthy diets and curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
The guidelines, unveiled on Monday in Abuja at an event themed “Public Procurement of Food: Promoting a Culture of National Wellness Through the Food Value Chain,” are expected to influence food served in public institutions, including schools, hospitals, correctional centres and military establishments, by setting evidence-based standards on nutrition, food safety and quality.
Delivering his keynote address at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said the initiative marks a shift from viewing public procurement as a routine administrative process to using it as a strategic tool to improve public health and national development.
“When the government demands healthier, safer and more nutritious food, it creates incentives for the entire food system to innovate, improve quality and align with higher public health standards,” he said.
Why it matters
Mr Salako said the government remains the country’s largest institutional purchaser of food, meaning procurement decisions have the potential to influence food production, consumer behaviour and nutrition standards across the food value chain.
According to him, the guidelines establish limits on sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats in foods procured by public institutions while encouraging balanced and nutritious diets.
He said the document complements existing national policies, including the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction, the Trans Fat Regulation and the 2023 National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.
Rising burden of unhealthy diets
Mr Salako noted that unhealthy diets contribute to about 7.2 million deaths globally every year, driven largely by excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats as well as inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
He revealed that the average Nigerian adult consumes between 3.9 grammes and 4.9 grammes of sodium daily, almost double the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended limit of 2 grammes.
Mr Salako added that increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has contributed to rising rates of obesity and diabetes, prompting the introduction of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, while industrial trans fats have also been restricted under Nigeria’s Trans Fatty Acid Regulation.
“These measures are designed to control dietary patterns that fuel the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, placing enormous pressure on health systems, national economies and household incomes,” he said.
Child malnutrition remains a concern
Mr Salako also highlighted the country’s persistent nutrition challenges, noting that malnutrition remains a direct or underlying cause of nearly half of the deaths among children under five years.
He said the Nigeria Mini Demographic and Health Survey found that about four in every 10 Nigerian children under five are stunted, while nearly two million children suffer severe acute malnutrition annually.
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“These are not merely health statistics. They represent profound human capital challenges with significant implications for educational attainment, labour productivity, household prosperity, national competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.”
Implementation key
Mr Salako stressed that the success of the guidelines would depend on effective implementation rather than their launch.
He urged procurement and accounting officers across government institutions to ensure compliance, noting that procurement decisions influence health outcomes, productivity and public confidence in government.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue to promote disease prevention through healthier public policies as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
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