The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has called for the reenactment of African brotherhood in resolving age-long conflicts among members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He said the bloodline ties among some past leaders in Nigeria, and other prominent neighbours like Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, seemed to have compounded the ECOWAS crises-resolution machinery for the ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Tinubu.
The monarch spoke yesterday at his palace in Benin, when Edo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agun Gbenga Joseph, paid him a courtesy visit.
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The traditional ruler, who was Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Italy and other countries, said: “Our border is so porous. That is why when there was a coup d’état in Niger. I was personally worried about how we were going to deal with it.
“Niger and Nigeria are almost the same. Some people live in Nigeria and work in Niger. Others live in Niger and work in Nigeria. I am sure Nigeriens are leaders in some of our establishments in Nigeria.
“So, I thought it was going to be very difficult for President Tinubu, as ECOWAS Chairman, to deal with the problem. But, recently, we heard that the sanctions were lifted. We should find ways to resolve our differences and work together.”
The NSCDC commandant, Joseph had earlier solicited the prayers of Oba of Benin to succeed, while he listed steps his command had taken to curb crimes in Edo.
Joseph, who was accompanied by senior officers of NSCDC, which was established by Act 3 of 2003, urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu’s administration, to move the nation forward.