The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar and the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, have agreed to revitalise the long standing fraternal, cultural and traditional relationship that existed between Nigeria's traditional rulers and the British Monarchy, which thrived during the colonial days.

A statement signed by spokesman of the Sokoto Sultanate, Alhaji Danladi Bako (Kogunan Sokoto) said the Sultan Sa'ad met the British Prince at the Clarence House, London on February 18, 2009, where both men observed that such cultural revival was desirable as a catalyst for growth and development in both countries.

The traditional rulers said traditional institutions were duty bound "to assist the government of the day in their various countries by supporting and encouraging inter-community brotherhood both at urban and rural levels" as this "will further engender world peace, global harmony and eradication of poverty".

The statement added that they both decried violence, strife and extremism in resolving global or community, tribal or religious issues which they observed should be tackled by dialogue and mutual respect among all peoples and races.

Prince Charles who is also an avowed environment-issues activist also expressed concern about global warming and the intensity of desertification threatening the sub-Saharan region of West Africa, the statement said.

The prince offered to jointly work with the Sultan to increase awareness as well as enlighten more people about the danger to the environment by the felling of trees, digging and excavation of the earth for building, industrial or other detrimental purposes.

In furtherance of the desire to work more harmoniously on developmental issues that affect humanity, both monarchs were said to have agreed to set up a meeting of African Traditional Rulers initially on a sub-regional basis so that they could align their visions and goals of improving their communities in general and Africa in particular through shared experience.

The visit to Clarence House, the official office and residence of Prince Charles by the Sultan was at the invitation of the British monarchy.