As part of renewed efforts to strengthen peace and security at the grassroots level, 80 traditional rulers from the Zazzau Emirate have begun a five-day intensive training programme on conflict mediation and peacebuilding in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The training, organized by Green Horizon with support from the UK-funded SPRING Programme under the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is designed to equip ward and village heads with essential skills for resolving disputes and maintaining community harmony.
Chairman of Green Horizon, Prof. Muhammed Tabiu (SAN), speaking at the workshop’s opening ceremony, said the initiative builds on the success of earlier pilot sessions. He stressed the need to empower traditional leaders who, despite their central role in conflict resolution, often lack formal training in mediation and legal procedures.
“This programme fills a critical gap by covering key topics such as basic legal principles, human rights, family law, alternative dispute resolution, and partnerships with formal justice systems,” Tabiu said.
A major highlight of the workshop will be a closing-day roundtable bringing together traditional leaders and representatives from the Nigeria Police, Sharia and Magistrate Courts, NDLEA, DSS, and community vigilante groups to foster inter-agency cooperation in managing local disputes.
Tabiu announced that an additional 80 traditional leaders would undergo the same training in August or September, bringing the total number of trained community leaders to 240 under the project.
Representing the Emir of Zazzau, Waziri Khadi Muhammad Inuwa Aminu urged participants to engage fully in the training, noting that traditional leaders play a vital role in resolving land disputes, family conflicts, and other local tensions.
He also called on government authorities to consider providing ward and village heads with regular stipends or salaries to enhance their effectiveness and dignity in service.
