WELCOME ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY ARC MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO FNIA, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE AT THE MEETING OF THE NORTHERN TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL HELD AT THE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS CHAMBER, LUGARD HALL, KADUNA ON WEDNESDAY, 18^TH JUNE, 2008

            I am especially delighted to be part of this great occasion of the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.

On behalf of the Government and the entire people of Kaduna State, I warmly welcome all of you to this important occasion. It is my sincere wish that you find your stay here very peaceful and rewarding and for you to hold your meeting successfully.

As royal fathers, you share with the State Governments, the enormous responsibilities of which is the maintenance of peace in your domains. It is with this firm believe that the Northern Governors decided to closely work with you so that we can continue to collectively discharge our responsibilities of ensuring the security of lives and property of our people. I must, at this juncture, commend our predecessors for such noble initiative. There is no doubt that there is no substitute to dialogue in the resolution of conflicts within a family.

None of us should be in doubt that the North occupies a central position in Nigeria. Its diversity reflects the plurality of our country. Our strength lies in our capacity to weld our diversity into a harmonious family not only for our own purpose but also as an example for all and sundry to emulate. May I, at this juncture, implore our Royal Fathers to take further steps by delving into the myriad of issues that militate against the socio-economic and political development of our region such as leadership, economic underdevelopment, youth unemployment, street begging, poverty, etc.

However, my focus today is not to review or restate the ugly past but to urge you to provoke and generate vibrant and dynamic dialogue to give this meeting the basis for the success it deserves. This is because from whichever angle one looks at the current socio-political situations in Nigeria in particular and the world at large, there are glaring indications that all cannot be said to be well. This connection, therefore, I hope I will not be asking for too much if I suggest that you make, as one of your issues for deliberations, peace, justice and fair play and the need for them to be preached for the overall good of all.

Our distinguished Royal Fathers, with these few remarks, let me once again welcome you all to this important occasion. I wish you fruitful deliberations and hope that the resolutions of your meeting will promote peace, unity and speedy development for our country.

On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kaduna State, I once again welcome you to this important meeting. May the peace and blessings of God be upon us all, amen.

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