His Royal Majesty Ny’údū Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, of Upata Kingdom, Rivers State, has called on traditional rulers across Nigeria to take primary responsibility for maintaining peace and order in their communities.
Speaking during a town hall dialogue in Uyo on Monday with members of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Traditional Rulers and other visiting monarchs, Otuwarikpo emphasized that peace remains the most essential ingredient for sustainable development.
The event was part of activities marking the 2025 Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week and Annual Conference.The Upāta monarch urged traditional rulers to not only serve as custodians of culture and tradition but also to build strategic partnerships with their subjects and relevant stakeholders to promote unity and progress in their domains.
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“Kings have a primary responsibility to defend their kingdoms against both internal and external threats,” Otuwarikpo stated. “As royal fathers, we must lead the charge in promoting peace, correcting anti-social behaviors, and ensuring the security of lives and property”.
He further encouraged traditional leaders to harness the potential of their cultural heritage and historical sites for tourism development, noting that such efforts could help boost local economies and preserve indigenous identities.
The engagement underscored the growing role of traditional institutions in modern governance and the ongoing efforts to integrate traditional leadership into national development discourse.
