…Sultan of Sokoto, Etsu Nupe, Emir of Gwandu grace historic royal ceremony in Gusau
…11 first-class, eight second-class emirs receive royal symbols, luxury SUVs, Hilux, other vehicles
By:Abdullahi InuwaÂ
In a major move to strengthen traditional leadership and reposition royal institutions for greater grassroots engagement, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has presented Staffs of Office and 57 official vehicles to 19 newly coronated emirs across the state.
The high-profile coronation ceremony, held at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital, brought together some of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Gwandu, alongside government officials and other distinguished personalities.
The colourful event marked a significant moment for the Zamfara traditional institution, as 11 first-class and eight second-class emirs formally received their Staffs of Office following the administration of their oaths of office.
With the presentation, Governor Lawal formally entrusted the royal fathers with the authority and responsibilities of their respective emirates, urging them to make justice, fairness, integrity and service to the people the guiding principles of their reign.
Beyond the traditional symbols of authority, the governor announced a major logistical support package for the 19 emirs, presenting each of them with three official vehicles to facilitate royal duties and strengthen their engagement with communities.
The vehicles comprised a GAC ULTRA SUV (2025/2026 model), a MIKANO ZNA HILUX and an EV ANTIQUE MODEL car (DDP), bringing the total number of vehicles distributed to 57.
The gesture, according to the state government, is aimed at improving the mobility of the traditional rulers, enabling them to reach communities within their domains and enhancing coordination with relevant government institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Lawal described the traditional institution as an indispensable pillar of society, noting that its historical influence and closeness to the people make it an important partner in the pursuit of peace, security, stability and development.
He explained that the presentation of the Staffs of Office went beyond the formality of coronation, stressing that the royal symbols represented the trust, authority and enormous responsibilities placed on the shoulders of the newly installed emirs.
“The Staff of Office being presented today signifies the authority entrusted to you by the State. It also represents a responsibility to govern your respective domains with fairness, wisdom, integrity and compassion,” Lawal declared.
The governor challenged the newly coronated royal fathers to rise above personal interests and political considerations in the discharge of their duties, insisting that traditional leadership must be inclusive, impartial and accessible to all.
He particularly cautioned against discrimination in the emirates, urging the emirs to ensure that every resident, regardless of religious, political or social background, receives equal treatment and justice.
According to him, the royal palaces must remain places where ordinary citizens can seek guidance, resolve disputes and obtain reassurance in times of difficulty.
“I expect every emir to carry out their responsibilities without discrimination, uphold justice, and ensure that the traditional institution remains accessible to all members of the community.
“Our people must find guidance, fairness and reassurance in their traditional rulers,” he said.
Lawal further disclosed that his administration was determined to strengthen the institutional capacity of traditional rulers through the rehabilitation and reconstruction of royal palaces across the state.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing work on the remaining royal palaces, describing the initiative as part of a broader effort to preserve traditional heritage and improve the working environment of the royal fathers.
The governor maintained that traditional institutions should not be regarded merely as custodians of culture and customs but as important partners in addressing community challenges, promoting peaceful coexistence and supporting development initiatives.
On the 57 vehicles presented to the emirs, Lawal said the intervention was specifically designed to ease their official movements, expand their presence across their respective domains and bring traditional leadership closer to the people.
He, however, urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the vehicles were properly maintained and deployed strictly for official responsibilities.
The governor also called for a stronger and more productive partnership between the emirates and the state government, emphasising that cooperation between political authorities and traditional institutions was essential to achieving lasting peace and development.
He urged the royal fathers to use their positions to encourage unity, strengthen community relations, promote peaceful dispute resolution and support government efforts at the grassroots.
Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, congratulated the newly coronated emirs and charged them to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to the constituted authority.
The Sultan urged the royal fathers to conduct themselves in ways that would protect the dignity, integrity and reputation of the traditional institution, reminding them of the importance of honour, discipline and responsibility in the exercise of traditional authority.
He also encouraged them to uphold the values of the institution and remain committed to the welfare and expectations of the people they were called upon to lead.
The presence of the Sultan of Sokoto, the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Gwandu gave the ceremony additional prominence, bringing together influential traditional leaders to witness the formal installation of the 19 Zamfara emirs.
The event represents a new chapter for the affected emirates, with the newly coronated rulers expected to translate their traditional authority into effective community leadership, particularly in promoting peace, justice, security and development.
For the Lawal administration, the presentation of the Staffs of Office, official vehicles and commitment to palace rehabilitation form part of its stated efforts to strengthen traditional institutions and deepen their participation in governance.
The ceremony was announced in a statement issued by Sulaiman Bala Idris, Spokesperson for the Zamfara State Governor, dated October 31, 2026.
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com +2348062255033, +2348028340098
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