In an unprecedented display of unity, three of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers appeared together on Channels Television Wednesday to confront gender-based violence head-on, dismantling cultural justifications long used to shield abusers.
The Emir of Shonga, HRH Dr Haliru Ndanusa; the 14th Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II; and the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe gathered in the Lagos studio following a major conference on GBV prevention. Dressed in their traditional regalia—embroidered northern caps and southern coral beads—they delivered a unified, uncompromising message: authentic culture protects the vulnerable, not the violent.
Rejecting Cultural Excuses
Emir Sanusi II, an Islamic scholar and economist, directly challenged what he called the “myth of static culture”—the idea that harmful practices are immutable traditions.
“Culture is dynamic,” Sanusi explained. “What’s acceptable in one era may become unacceptable in the same society later. In patriarchal systems, those in power often define culture to serve their own interests, usually at women’s expense.”
He challenged religious misinterpretations as well, asking pointedly: “Show me where domestic violence is permitted in the Quran or Hadith. The Prophet called men who beat their wives the worst among us. How can you assault a woman, then share her bed?”
A Health and Economic Crisis
Dr. Ndanusa, a physician, framed GBV as both a public health emergency and an economic drain. “You cannot keep half your population unproductive and expect national progress,” he said, recalling his medical training when he treated 13-year-old girls suffering complications from forced early marriages.
He advocated for programs targeting young men through “boys’ clubs” to counter toxic masculinity. “We must tell them these power dynamics cause real harm. Some mistake dominance for manhood—we need to reorient them.”
Tradition Meets Technology
Igwe Achebe described how his Onitsha traditional council actively protects vulnerable community members, including widows and the disabled. He cited a recent case where his council fined and suspended a man for assaulting his sister-in-law.
“Criminal violence belongs with the police. We don’t tolerate it,” the Obi stated firmly.
Notably, Achebe embraces modern technology to extend his traditional authority, conducting Zoom town halls with subjects worldwide, from Indianapolis to beyond. “This interview is being watched by my people globally. We see no contradiction between modernization and tradition.”
Demanding Political Representation
Sanusi turned to Nigeria’s political landscape, highlighting women’s virtual absence from power. “We have 109 senators—only about four are women. If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” he said, calling for constitutional reforms including designated female senate seats.
The monarchs acknowledged their limitations in formal prosecution but emphasized their unique influence as cultural custodians whose own families exemplify progressive values.
By standing together, these leaders—holding PhDs, medical degrees, and corporate experience—signal a cultural turning point: a society’s true dignity is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable. The fight against domestic abuse has gained powerful champions in the very institutions once used to justify it.
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