Treat All Nigerians As Indigenes, Sultan Urges Governors
His Eminence, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has urged state governors across Nigeria to follow the example of Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, by abolishing the non-indigene status in order to foster national cohesion.
The Sultan made the call when he paid a Sallah homage to Governor Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, in Sokoto. According to a statement from the Press Secretary to the Governor of Sokoto State, Abubakar Bawa, the Sultan praised the practice in Sokoto where all Nigerians, regardless of their origin, are treated as indigenes, which instills a sense of belonging among residents.
“In Sokoto, we don’t have non-indigenes, but rather members of the resident communities,” Sultan Abubakar said. He further called on other state governors to adopt this inclusive approach to promote peace, harmony, and good brotherhood across the country.
The Sultan also emphasized the importance of protecting the lives and property of citizens, noting that security is the foundation for societal progress. He commended Governor Aliyu for his efforts in improving security in Sokoto, particularly in the fight against banditry, and for the massive distribution of food items during the recent Ramadan fast, a gesture he said had never been seen before in the state.
Furthermore, the Sultan urged Nigerians to remain law-abiding and avoid actions that could jeopardize the country’s peace. He expressed concern about unpatriotic individuals using social media to spread falsehoods, misinformation, and provocative statements that could threaten national stability. The Sultan called on security agencies to be vigilant in addressing such threats.
In his response, Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Sokoto State. He attributed much of the insecurity in the country to high levels of unemployment, particularly among youths, many of whom are becoming informants for criminals in exchange for money.
Governor Aliyu shared that his administration had trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in various trades to help make them productive members of society. He promised that more skills acquisition programs would soon be launched to further engage unemployed youths and reduce restiveness in the state.
He also assured the people of Sokoto State that his government would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, with plans to further support the construction of mosques and Islamiyya schools. He thanked the people for their prayers and support and encouraged them to continue contributing to the peace and progress of the state.
