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The Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has welcomed the proposed 100 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of traditional rulers in Kaduna State, describing the development as a welcome relief for the traditional institution.
The Emir, who is also Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, said the proposed increment had been in the pipeline for about seven months, adding that Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Sadiq Mamman Lagos, had been working on its implementation.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in his palace in Zaria on Friday, the Emir said the official announcement had been made by the state government and that he was optimistic that the proposed increment would soon be actualised.
He noted that the present remuneration of traditional rulers in the state was inadequate compared to what obtains in some other emirates across the country.
According to him, the value of money had significantly declined in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for traditional rulers to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
He, however, expressed gratitude to the state government for the initiative, saying any improvement in their remuneration would have a positive impact.
Bamalli commended Governor Uba Sani and Sadiq Mamman Lagos for what he described as their care, love and commitment to the traditional institution in Kaduna State.
He said the relationship between the government and traditional rulers had remained cordial, with the two sides regularly consulting and working together on issues affecting the people.
The Emir said traditional rulers were not politicians but remained important partners in governance, particularly in conflict resolution, grassroots mobilisation and maintaining peace.
He disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had, over the past two years, resolved more than 2,000 civil cases through its alternative dispute resolution mechanism, thereby reducing pressure on conventional courts.
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He said the palace handled an average of five cases daily from Monday to Thursday, including matrimonial disputes, inheritance, land matters and other civil disagreements, while criminal matters were referred to the conventional courts. He added that the initiative had received commendation from the judiciary.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Bamalli said the traditional institution would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to protect the peace and stability recorded in the Zazzau Emirate.
He attributed the relative peace in the emirate to an inclusive leadership approach that accommodates people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The Emir explained that his administration had deliberately given recognition to major communities within the emirate, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani communities, as well as Christian leaders, in order to ensure that the palace received first-hand information about developments in different parts of the emirate.
He said the approach had helped build trust and confidence among the people.
On insecurity, Bamalli said the emirate had largely remained peaceful, although Giwa Local Government Area continued to face security challenges because of its proximity to areas bordering Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states.
He said the palace maintained regular communication with security agencies and submitted weekly intelligence reports to the state government, while urgent security information was escalated immediately.
He said the collaboration among traditional institutions, the state government and security agencies had helped to curtail threats and sustain peace in the emirate.
Bamalli expressed confidence that with continued cooperation and support from Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the traditional institution would continue to play a vital role in promoting peace, development and stability across Kaduna State.
