Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal officially presented the staff of office and brand-new utility vehicles to 19 emirs at a grand coronation ceremony held in Gusau, the state capital. The high-profile event, which took place at the Trade Fair Complex, marked a major milestone in the administration's engagement with traditional authorities in the region.
Key figures present at the occasion included the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, and the Emir of Gwandu. Following their formal oath-taking procedures, Governor Lawal handed over the instruments of authority to 11 first-class and eight second-class traditional rulers. To enhance their mobility and operational capacity, each of the 19 monarchs received a fleet comprising a 2025/2026 model GAC Ultra SUV, a Mikano ZNA Hilux utility truck, and an EV Antique Model car.
Why were the vehicles distributed?
Governor Lawal explained that the provision of the official vehicles is designed to ease logistics, facilitate extensive travel across their respective domains, and foster closer engagement with local populations. Furthermore, the governor pledged to complete ongoing infrastructural upgrades and rehabilitation works on remaining royal palaces across the state to restore the dignity and historic appeal of traditional seats of power.
Addressing the newly coronated royal fathers, Governor Lawal emphasized the weight of their positions. He stated, "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." He urged them to remain accessible to all citizens, promote justice without bias, and foster a strong, collaborative partnership with the state government to drive peace and community development.
What did the Sultan of Sokoto advise?
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, congratulated the traditional rulers and charged them to maintain absolute loyalty to constituted authorities. He reminded the emirs to protect the profound dignity and rich heritage of the traditional institution as they execute their daily duties of leadership and community mediation.
Historically, traditional institutions in northern Nigeria play a critical role in local governance, cultural preservation, and security intelligence gathering. By equipping the emirs with modern official assets and institutional backing, the Zamfara State government aims to reinforce grassroots administration and improve overall governance architecture.