By Our Correspondent,Lagos
The planning committee of the 2026 Southern Kaduna People’s United Association (SOKAPU) Lagos Cultural Festival has paid a courtesy visit to the Sarkin Hausawa of Idi-Araba, Alhaji Abubakar Auyo, as part of efforts to strengthen unity, promote peaceful coexistence and secure the support of traditional institutions ahead of the forthcoming cultural celebration.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, Mr. Steven Bissan, visited the traditional ruler at his palace in Lagos, where discussions centred on unity among Nigerians, the need for inclusive representation and the importance of building stronger relationships among communities, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences.
The visit was facilitated by the former Chairman of SOKAPU Lagos Chapter, Rev. Andrew Duya, who has maintained a longstanding relationship with the revered traditional ruler.
Receiving the delegation, Alhaji Auyo welcomed the team warmly and urged its members to feel at home, stressing that people from Northern Nigeria should see themselves as one, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds or cultural identities.
He expressed concern over divisions among communities in the North, attributing much of the discord to political interests and the exploitation of ethnic and religious differences by politicians.
According to him, such divisions should not be allowed to weaken the bonds of brotherhood, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence that unite the people.
The traditional ruler encouraged community leaders and stakeholders to promote understanding, dialogue and cooperation, noting that cultural identities should serve as a source of strength rather than a basis for division.
He also engaged the delegation in discussions on political and social issues affecting Northern Nigeria, offering advice on the need for communities to organise themselves effectively and establish credible leadership structures capable of articulating their interests.
A major highlight of the visit was Alhaji Auyo’s call on the Southern Kaduna community in Lagos to identify a credible traditional leader who could provide direction, promote unity and serve as a recognised voice for the people.
He observed that the Southern Kaduna community has a significant population in Lagos and deserves adequate representation in matters affecting its welfare, development and relationship with other communities.
The Sarkin Hausawa emphasised that effective traditional leadership would help strengthen the community’s internal cohesion, provide a platform for constructive engagement and ensure that its concerns receive appropriate attention.
He assured the delegation of his continued support and pledged to carry the Southern Kaduna community along in relevant traditional and community affairs going forward.
His assurances, according to the delegation, represented an important gesture of solidarity and a demonstration of the value of cooperation among ethnic communities living in Lagos.
The engagement also underscored the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peaceful coexistence, resolving community concerns and encouraging meaningful relationships among diverse groups in a cosmopolitan city such as Lagos.
In a further demonstration of his commitment to unity and inter-community relations, Alhaji Auyo pledged to personally attend the 2026 SOKAPU Lagos Cultural Festival.
The festival is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Police Children School, Lagos, beginning at 10 a.m.
His decision to attend the event is expected to further strengthen the spirit of solidarity between the Southern Kaduna community and other ethnic groups, while reinforcing the festival’s role as a platform for cultural expression, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
The annual cultural gathering is expected to provide members of the Southern Kaduna community and other invited guests with an opportunity to celebrate their heritage, showcase their cultural values and strengthen relationships within and beyond their community.
Beyond its cultural significance, the festival is also expected to encourage intergenerational engagement, preserve traditional practices and promote the values of mutual respect, tolerance and national unity.
The organisers are working towards a successful event that will bring together community leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and members of the public to celebrate cultural diversity and foster stronger bonds among residents of Lagos.
The delegation expressed appreciation to Alhaji Auyo for his warm reception, valuable advice and willingness to support the forthcoming festival.
The team also acknowledged the role played by Rev. Andrew Duya in facilitating the visit, describing engagements of this nature as important steps towards building bridges among communities and strengthening relationships with traditional institutions.
The delegation noted that the visit provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on issues affecting community development, representation and peaceful coexistence, while reinforcing the need for sustained dialogue among ethnic and religious groups.
Members of the team expressed optimism that the traditional ruler’s participation in the forthcoming festival would further demonstrate the importance of solidarity and cooperation in promoting a more inclusive society.
Those present during the visit included Mr. Steven Bissan, Chairman of the 2026 SOKAPU Lagos Cultural Festival Planning Committee; Rev. Andrew Duya, former Chairman of SOKAPU Lagos Chapter; and Elder Daniel Monday Tanko of the Numana community.
The visit forms part of the planning committee’s broader engagement with community stakeholders ahead of the November celebration.
As preparations continue, the organisers hope that the festival will not only celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Southern Kaduna but also serve as a platform for promoting unity, strengthening inter-community relationships and advancing peaceful coexistence among the diverse peoples of Lagos.
The organisers have called on members of the community, cultural enthusiasts and other stakeholders to support the forthcoming festival and participate in the celebration scheduled for November 14, 2026.
The 2026 SOKAPU Lagos Cultural Festival is expected to reaffirm the message that cultural diversity, mutual respect and collective responsibility can serve as powerful instruments for building a united and peaceful society.
