The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, on his 20th anniversary as Sultan. In a congratulatory message, the Etsu Nupe described the milestone as a remarkable celebration of purposeful leadership, spiritual guidance, service to Islam, and commitment to peace, unity, and national development. The Etsu Nupe is also the chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The Sultan of Sokoto has been a respected traditional ruler, religious leader, and elder statesman, earning respect across Nigeria and beyond for his contributions to promoting peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, and national cohesion. His reign has demonstrated the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in promoting moral values, fostering mutual understanding, and supporting efforts to build a peaceful, united, and prosperous society.
The Sultan's leadership of the Sokoto caliphate and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has provided a platform for advancing the spiritual interests of the Muslim Ummah, promoting Islamic teachings, and encouraging dialogue on issues affecting the country. His consistent advocacy for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds has reinforced the importance of mutual respect, tolerance, and collective responsibility in nation-building.
The Etsu Nupe commended the Sultan for his statesmanship, wisdom, humility, and commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He noted that the Sultan's counsel and interventions have remained valuable in strengthening understanding and harmony among communities. The Sultan's leadership has shown that traditional and religious leadership goes beyond preserving cultural heritage and religious values to include promoting peace, justice, unity, and the general well-being of the people.
The Sultan's distinguished service to Nigeria, including his military career before ascending the throne in 2006, reflects a longstanding commitment to duty, discipline, patriotism, and service to humanity. His two decades on the throne provide an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of traditional rulers to national stability and the need to sustain collaboration among traditional institutions, governments, religious organizations, and other stakeholders.
The Etsu Nupe emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between traditional and religious leaders in addressing contemporary challenges, including insecurity, poverty, social disunity, and the need to promote education and peaceful community relations. This, he believes, will help to build a more harmonious and prosperous society.
The congratulatory message from the Etsu Nupe was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on November 2, 2026. The Etsu Nupe's sentiments reflect the high esteem in which the Sultan is held by his peers and the wider Nigerian society.
Key points
- The Sultan of Sokoto has been a unifying figure in Nigeria, promoting peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
- The Etsu Nupe praised the Sultan's leadership and commitment to peace, unity, and national development.
- The Sultan's 20th anniversary as Sultan marks a significant milestone in his contributions to Nigerian society.
