THE paramount ruler and Oba of the Benin Kingdom, HRM Omo N’Oba Ewuare II said in Sokoto that Nigerians must join hands to uphold the country’s integrity as a great entity with unlimited potentials for growth.
According to him, the strength of the nation was paramount, noting that unity, peace and harmonious co-existence should be embraced.
Oba Ewuare II made the remarks on Monday while on a royal visit to Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III in his palace in Sokoto.
He said the traditional institution and rulers have been a stabilising component to the unity of the country especially at the grassroots.
The Benin Monarch stressed the need for traditional rulers extedn their unflinching support to the Federal Government in harnessing the benefits of the diverse cuktural ethos to keep the country as one indivisible nation.
” We need to display responsive cultural exchange programmes to consolidate our cultural interactions”, he pointed out.
In the same vein, the Monarch noted that for some time, Nigeria was faced with huge security challenges occasioned by attendant avoidable humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions, urging that” it behoves on us as traditional rulers to constantly imbibe in our people the need to respect our cultural values which teach tolerance and respect for one another. It is my hope that we we cntinue to uphold those values that unite us as a country.
He prayed for long reign of the Sultan in good health and prosperity.
Sultan Abubakar in his response described the Benin Monarch as a new dawn for a prosperous begining for not only Benin people but Nigeria in general.
The revered leader also noted with passion the human face of the Oba whom he said has been doing a lot for the love and development of the Benin kingdom through various initiatives and projects with direct impact in the lives of his people.
According to Sultan Abubakar” the traditional institutions have been existing for long in the a spirit of love and concern for the people.
” whatever us good for our people, we try and do to maintain the cultural and traditional practices that seeks to promote respect”, he pointed out.