The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Unity

  • Governorship aspirant calls for unity in Kwara PDP

    A PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Ajia, has lamented the disunity, internal wrangling and acrimony within the the state chapter of the party.

    Ajia warned that the seemingly irreconcilable differences in the PDP would mar the party’s chances in the next general elections, against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The aspirant made the disclosure in Ilorin yesterday at an event to commemorate Sallah celebration. He said there was no way the party could embark on a war fragmented and expect to defeat the ruling party.

    Ajia challenged party chairmen in the 16 local government areas to reconcile aggrieved members and work with unity of purpose and sense of direction.

    He also called on party faithful to work as a team ahead of the primary elections and ensure that the best candidate emerged to fly the flag of the party at the polls.

    He said: “I urge you all to recognize that the unity of this party is the first thing that can give us victory. For those of you who are enjoying peace in your own local governments, you need to tell others and teach them how you have done it, so that when we have a one party we can face the war. You can’t go to a war with a divided house. This thing is giving me a lot of concern.

    “I think the elders are ready now; they have shown concern that they want this party to be united. So, party chairmen across local governments, the time is now to work together. Let us kick start.

    “From now on, everybody will take a responsibility. Let us be talking on how we can make sure that we have a successful primary election and a united political party to face the problem of the state.

    “The war before us is not a small war, and here again, we are fragmented. So, this is the thing that gives me concern from time to time. Let us go into partnership; let us sign a social contract, so that we can have a new Kwara, where a son of nobody can become somebody, where you don’t need to know somebody before you can buy forms and say you want to represent your people anywhere. This is the Kwara of my dream.

    “A Kwara where a local government chairman can live in his local government headquarters, a Kwara where a commissioner on Friday will be eager to close from work and go back to his local government.

    “It is time for us to tidy up our trousers. We need to put politics aside. We need to identify the potentials in all the individuals that are out.”

     

  • C&S leaders embrace unity

    •Inaugurates Council of Elders

    Leaders of the six major groups in Cherubim and Seraphim churches across the nation have agreed to close ranks and foster unity among members.

    At a meeting last week in Lagos convened by the Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Elder Professor Joseph Otubu, the leaders lamented the lack of common fronts among Cherubim and Seraphim churches.

    This, they said, was not only counterproductive but also pushing the exploits of the churches to the background in the nation.

    Leaders at the meeting include Baba Aladura of Eternal Sacred Order Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOSC) His Most Eminence David Bob-Manuel; Baba Aladura Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim His Most Eminence Solomon Alao and Baba Aladura Praying Band of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, His Most Eminence Babatunde Amusan.

    Others were: Baba Aladura Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church His Most Eminence Samuel Abidoye; Baba Aladura ESOCS Church His Most Eminence Michael Ebahor and Baba Aladura C&S Society His Most Eminence Babatunde Adebona.

    Otubu, a member of the C&S church, said it was regrettable the many innovations of the founding fathers of C&S churches have been turned to objects of ridicule owing to lack of a united front.

    He appealed to the six major groups to spearhead unity with a view to making C&S churches take their rightful place in the body of Christ in Nigeria.

    The renowned gynecologist said it was regrettable the C&S churches have become butts of jokes and portrayed as charlatans, a trend he said must be reversed through unity.

    The leaders, in a 6-point communiqué at the end of the meeting, vowed to foster “peace, growth and unity generally among all member churches”.

    They also declared the churches shall a united and indivisible group committed to promoting “unity among the youths, women and elders in the service of the Lord.”

    They also constituted a Council of Elders saddled with the responsibility to work for harmonious relations among member churches as well as serve as the central conscience of the C&S churches.

    The Council, they agreed, will meet quarterly to discuss issues of great importance and guide the churches towards united causes.

    Bob-Manuel told our correspondent that the meeting couldn’t have been better timed considering the challenges facing C&S churches.

    He promised his commitment to working for peace and harmonious relations with other member churches.

    Alao, on his part, praised Otubu for the convocation, saying “we have no choice but to work together because we have a common heritage, root and goal.”

  • Sultan tasks politicians on national peace, unity

    THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday urged politicians to ensure sustained peace and unity of the country.

    Sultan Abubakar gave the advice in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Nigerians delivered in Sokoto.

    He said that the challenges being encountered in the country were numerous and were mostly initiated by some selfish politicians.

    He said: “As we are approaching the political era, it is our hope that politicians in the country will allow the peace and unity of Nigeria.

    “Moreover, our youths should stay peaceful and not allow any selfish politician to use them in distracting the relative peace and unity in the country.

    “Distraction of peaceful democracy in any society will only set it back in all areas of human development.”

    The monarch further urged Nigerians to complement the efforts of the security agencies toward securing the country, pointing out that security is a collective responsibility.

    He praised the efforts of the federal and Sokoto state governments towards restoring the lost glories of the educational and agricultural sectors, and called on Nigerians to support such efforts.

    The royal father urged Muslims to reflect on, and uphold the virtues of Ramadan, which he said includes patience, perseverance and brotherliness.

    While wishing all Nigerians happy Sallah celebration, the Sultan appealed to them to sustain their prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors and all other leaders in the country.

    Emir Sanusi tasks leaders, warn youths against drug abuse

    On his part, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, called on the government at all levels to take appropriate measures to address the educational backwardness of the people of Northern ‎Nigeria.

    He also urge government to curb the menace of drug abuse, which he said has become a canker worm in the society.

    Speaking shortly after the Eid-el-Fitr sermon held at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground yesterday, the Emir observed that the North has been left behind educationally.

    The rise in social vices, he said, is occasioned by the high rate of illiteracy, which he said is becoming a source of concern to North’s leaders.

    He said: “It is thigh time Northerners wake up from their slumber and critically reflect on the backward role they are occupying, making others to look down on them.

    “I believe that it is this same social phenomena that‎ spurs our teeming youths to ignorantly be on hard drugs, leading thousands of them to abandon the vigorous pursuit of their academic agenda to waywardness.

    “If Northerners really want ‎to do things differently, we must do away with idleness and remain focused in our drive to attain self-actualization or else remain in perpetual poverty of the mind, which is more dangerous than that of the pocket.”

    He used the opportunity to call on the Muslim Ummah to be their brothers’ keepers, adding: “I urge you to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr to extend hands of friendship to our neighbours who are not of the same faith.

    “Let’s stay together as Nigerians and work towards her socio-economic prosperity and overall development for the betterment of all.”

    Ooni felicitates with Muslims

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, felicitated with Muslims all over the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan.

    The traditional ruler charged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of religious tolerance to enable them to coexist peacefully with the adherents of other religious faiths.

    He described the Ramadan as a month of purity and faithfulness for the Muslims all over the world, and urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Mohammed, who remains an embodiment of the tenets of Qur’an and principles of Ramadan.

    Oba Ogunwusi, while admonishing the Muslim faithful to abstain from any act of ungodliness, bemoaned the attitude of some people in positions of authority, who during or after Ramadan, refuse to desist from ungodly acts. And “purify your souls, repent your wrongdoings, observe self-sacrifices and devote your attentions to peaceful coexistence with members of other religious sects, as all human beings serve one single God.“

    The Ooni, who is currently on a two-week peace and unity visit to Brazil, sent the goodwill message through a statement.

  • Governors advise Nigerians on spiritual rebirth, tolerance, unity

    GOVERNORS Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) have urged Nigerians to seek spiritual rebirth, imbibe the tenets of tolerance and unity for one another as a pathway of building a strong and united nation.

    Other governors, who felicitated with Muslims yesterday through their Eid-el-Fitri messages, are: Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Rivers), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Acting Niger State Governor Ahmed Mohammed Ketso.

     

    Ambode: imbibe tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness

    Ambode, in his Eid-el-Fitri message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can begin a rebirth.

    He urged the citizenry to imbibe the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood, which the period of the holy month exemplifies.

    According to him, with brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among the citizens above all other things, Nigeria can overcome the numerous challenges confronting it.

    Ambode added that in the last three years, despite the seeming economic challenges, the nation has witnessed appreciable level of development.

    He expressed optimism that more can be achieved if all hands are on deck.

    He said: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion of the end of the holy month of Ramadan, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love for our country, love for our neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her proper place in the comity of nations”.

     

    Ajimobi urges Muslims to seek spiritual rebirth

    Ajimobi congratulated the Muslim community on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan fasting.

    The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, prayed to Allah to accept their supplications, even beyond the holy month.

    Calling for spiritual rebirth among the Islamic faithful, he enjoined them to imbibe the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammed on the essence of Ramadan fasting.

    Ajimobi also admonished the faithful to use the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations to pray for the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country’s ethnic groups, and shun divisive tendencies capable of drawing back the country’s wheel of progress.

     

    Amosun preaches

     righteousness

    In his message, Amosun urged Muslim faithful to imbibe the values of Ramadan and continue to manifest them in their daily lives.

    Amosun, in the message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, said Ramadan, which was a time of fasting and charity, also demanded righteousness in all endeavours.

    “During Ramadan, which is one of the important pillars of Islam, we were obliged to fast, shun evil actions, speak right and show love to one another.

    “It also compelled us to engage in deep spiritual reflection and I believe that if we all continue in this practice after Ramadan, it will be not only to our benefit as individuals, but also as a nation,” he said.

     

    Gaidam rejoices with

    Nigerian Muslim Ummah

    Gaidam rejoiced with Nigerian Muslim Ummah, along with millions of the Muslim faithful all over the world.

    The governor’s message reads: “The Ramadan fasting that we observed over the last one month has no doubt taught us a lot of lessons.  It has instilled in us self-restraint and discipline, truthfulness, patience, humility, devotion and obedience to the Almighty Allah. It inculcates in us feeling of mercy and good character and above all, it protects the society from evils and vices. Ramadan fasting equally strengthens in the Muslim Community the values of love of justice, equity and unity among other virtues.  As a result of the lessons which are bequeathed to us through Ramadan fasting, we are expected to continue to demonstrate understanding and tolerance towards our neighbours and show compassion to those in need.  This occasion therefore affords us the opportunity to make sober reflection and an assessment of our conduct.”

     

    Ugwuanyi preaches love, peace, unity

    To Ugwuanyi, Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, must take advantage of the spiritual rebirth offered by Ramadan to promote love, peace, unity and progress.

    Ugwuanyi, in a message felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful for the successful completion of Ramadan.

    He emphasised the compelling need for Nigerians to continue to live in peace and harmony as well as offer special prayers for the country.

     

    Ayade salutes Muslims

    Ayade, in his message, called on Muslim faithful in the state and Nigeria to remain satisfied and render selfless service to their fellow countrymen and the nation as a panacea to heal a world in dire need of peace.

    Ayade averred that the celebration, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, offered an opportunity for all to break barriers and reach out to fellow human beings after meeting with the creator.

    A statement signed by his spokesperson, Mr. Christian Ita, quoted the governor as saying that: “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater for He knows all we do.

    “Having been refreshed by the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, which are essentially love, self-denial and good conduct in our daily relationships, it is expected that we employ a selfless approach in our dealings, irrespective of religious, political or tribal affiliations and remain content with what we have.”

     

    Wike:  pray for the unity, peace

    Wike congratulated Muslims for successfully completing this year’s Ramadan fast.

    He urged the Muslim Community to pray for the unity and peace of the nation as they celebrate.

    The governor called on the Muslim faithful to use the celebration to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of peace, security and friendship.

     

    Niger governor to

    Nigerlites: cultivate love

    Ketso urged his people to cultivate the habit of sharing, love and tolerance to all and sundry, irrespective of tribe, religion or political inclinations.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Maimuna Kolo, he enjoined the Muslims to continue with practising the teachings of Ramadan all year round for the progress and unity of the state and the country.

    Ketso, who called for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, governors and continued progress of Nigeria and Nigerians, assured Nigerlites that Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello’s led administration will keep providing more democratic dividends and conducive atmosphere for everyone in the state.

     

  • Preach peace and unity, Muslims leaders urged

    The unity among Islamic faithful under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhaamad Sa’ad Abubakar has manifested in the uniformity witnessed in the commencement of the ongoing Ramadan across the country.

    A member of Elders forum of Muslim Ummah in Southwest (MUSWEN) Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani made this observation when he presided over the maiden edition of annual Ramadan lecture of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo state.

    Kilani urged Muslims not to celebrate corrupt and people of shady characters whatever might be their position in the society.

    According to him, Muslims must not limit good deeds to Ramadan period alone but a continuous and daily activity.

    Guest speaker, Sheik Jamiu Adamson said unity from family level will bring a prosperous and united society.

    The cleric appealed to people not to discriminate on the basis of tribe, race or sex, stressing that Muslims must see themselves as brothers and sister.

    He urged people particularly Muslims during this Ramadan to pray for the unity of the country.

    Akoko Area Commander Alhaj Abdurazak Abdurauf, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) urged Muslims and other religious adherents to consider security as important ingredient to enhance unity.

    He appealed to Islamic preachers to emphasise on peace and unity of the country.

    The Akala of Ikaram-Akoko, Oba Andrew Momodu urged government to massively recruit teachers to public schools where children of the poor are numerous.

    An Anglican Priest, Rev Canon Awowole of St James’s Anglican Church, Ikaram-Akoko called for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among various religious sects.

  • PDP accuses APC of endangering peace, unity

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of endangering peace and unity in the country.

    The PDP, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman said the APC has demonstrated this “by its manifest retrogressive, violent and despotic proclivities”.

    It stated that the APC has proven to be the clog in the collective quest for national cohesion, happiness and economic prosperity as a people.

    Decking what it termed a clampdown on opposition figures, the PDP said the ruling party has continued to demonstrate that it was never a political party designed for governance and development but a contraption for oppression and vendetta.

    According to the PDP: “Already, there are plans by APC to extend the clampdown on opposition leaders to regular citizens, who have seen through their lies and deception and are in open agitation to vote them out in 2019.

    “We note that since the recent boast by President Muhammadu Buhari on his abuse of rights as a military ruler, there has been an escalation of clampdown on citizens, particularly, the opposition, in various parts of our country.”

     

  • Bar leaders urge unity for NBA elections

    Less than three months to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections, Bar leaders have called for unity among regional groups within the association, reports Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU.

    The occasions were different, but the rally cry was the same. Leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) rose from separate meetings in the south and north last week with a plea for regional bodies within the association to unite ahead of the 2018 elections.

    NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) and Asiwaju Solomon Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), among others, made the call at separate events organised by the Egbe Amofin, Lagos chapter, in Lagos and the Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) in Kaduna.

    Awomolo, who spoke at the 90th birthday of Pa Tunji Gomez in Lagos, called on Egbe Amofin to unite and take their pride of place in the polls.

    Awomolo said: “Very soon, we will be called upon to elect new leadership for the Nigerian Bar Association. Have we really given thought to what the leadership of the foremost professional association should be in a failed democracy? Election into the office of the president and other principal offices of the association has become a big enterprise.

    “Attention has been shifted from the character of candidates’ integrity; candidates for the election aligned themselves with the officers in office and it has become ‘Passover methods’.

    “Some of those who won election into office in 2016/2018 election, positioned themselves behind candidates for the election of 2014/2016, and those seeking election to offices to 2018/2020 have been featured, promoted and made prominent for the forthcoming election as their favourites.

    “NBA President, A. B. Mahmoud (SAN), a gentleman, was compelled in his meeting with Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF) in Kaduna, to declare that he had no favourite candidate to succeed him.

    “The decision of the elders to rotate the presidency from West, Egbe Amofin Oodua (including Edo & Delta) to the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states and finally to the Northern States branches  (Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF), was designed to eliminate corrupt competition that  characterised NBA elections.  It was also thought that rotational method will eliminate allegation of dominion and marginalisation that was partly responsible for the crisis that blighted the 1992 Port Harcourt Annual General Conference that led to the collapse of the association between 1992 and 1998.”

    Awomolo said the NBA deserves “gentlemen who have genuine desire to serve, men of learning, character and integrity’’.

    He added: “The president, in particular, must be one that will attract and enjoy respect by all spectrum of the Bar, the Bench and general public. He must be a man with track records of service to the legal profession.”

    Awomolo warned against candidates who offer bribes.

    He said: “A Presidential candidate who before election is involved in “bribing” colleagues with payment of travel expenses, provision of hotel accommodation and soft comfort to attend the National Executive Committee meeting is unfit to lead the noble association of honourable members of the legal profession. It is dishonourable, and it demeans the office of the number one man of the Association.

    “We must be courageous to regard election to the office of the leadership of the association as call to service. It is not an opportunity to take advantage of or compromise the integrity of the most noble and learned profession.”

    He said recent allegations and counter allegations of corrupt practices by the immediate past executive officers and the current one were worrying.

    Awomolo said: “I do not know how many of us have seen the correct audited report of the association of the last few executives. The reports of the finances, audit and activities of each successive tenure were circulated among a handful of members of the legal profession. What do we say of the nullification of the association’s constitution? The appeal that was filed but not pursued, the Board of Trustees intervention that failed? The Constitution regulating-the affairs of the Association for now is contentious due to litigations.

    “We need committed men and women of integrity lead the Bar. We must identify them, as I know there are many of them. Men who, are worthy of our trust, who have not compromised the honour and integrity of the legal profession to lead us.”

    According to him, Egbe Amofin failed because of compromised leadership, lack of respect for age, seniority, inordinate ambition and false esteem of candidates “who frustrated every effort at reconciliation”.

    He added: “All sorts of deleterious, unworthy and selfish antics were brought into the open. This encouraged conspiracy that led to the failure of our best. We need to call all Omo Egbe Amofin (Oodua) to know that as long as we remain divided, the certainty of losses and regrets awaits our race.’’

  • Cleric tasks leaders on unity

    AS the general elections draw near, the General Overseer, Love of Christ (LOC) Generation Church, United Kingdom, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, has urged political, traditional and religious leaders to shun statements and actions that have the tendency of causing division and disaffection among Nigerians.

    The Reverend Mother, who is also the founder of Esther Ajayi Foundation, made this charge at a briefing in the Presidential Suite of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    With the mind of uniting Christians across the world, the church is set to host this year’s edition of its yearly convention tagged “Celebrate The Comforter 2018”. She announced that this year’s event will be held at the United Palace, Broadway, New York, United States of America on Saturday, July 28, 2018 with herself and other anointed preachers on hand to minister.

    “Nigeria is God’s own country. Nobody will destroy our land. Ignorance is one of the most painful things in the world; lack of understanding is why we are having religious crisis. As a church, we have always preached humility before honour. Leaders, both religious and political, should cultivate the spirit of tolerance, and abhor those things that tend to cause disharmony, division and disaffection. They should seek humility, integrity and morality: service should come before honour,” she said.

    While urging religious leaders to preach more about moral and values, and less about prosperity, she noted that with the right values, the youths, who are the future, will grow up to cherish excellence over mediocrity.

    Furthermore, she urged Nigerian youths to shun illegal migration, noting that there were so many opportunities in Nigeria that could be positively harnessed.

    It is for this reason that the General Overseer pledged to use the opportunity of the convention in New York to celebrate youths that have excelled in their academic pursuit, while urging religious leaders to do same in their various churches as a means of encouraging the youths.

    She noted that the annual fiesta is principally tailored towards evangelism, freeing people from the shackles of poverty, winning more souls for Christ and celebrating the wonders of God, adding that of more importance is the fundamental objective of the meet, which is to bring Celestial and Cherubim and Seraphim churches together in a bid to change misconceptions about ‘white garment churches’ and their modus operandi.

    “The fundamental objective of the Comforter 2018 is to bring the Celestial and Cherubim and Seraphim churches together, and to tell the world that we believe solemnly in the Word of God, and have a unity of purpose,” she said.

    Reminiscing on the previous edition of 2017 tagged ‘Celebrating the Comforter’ with the theme ‘Unity in the Holy Spirit’ held at the Excel, London, which recorded ‘huge success’, Rev. Mother noted that the 2018 edition will sure surpass it in both content and achievement as ‘God is set to give His people double portion of anointing that will release them from the bondage of captivity and the kingdom of darkness’.

    Rev. Mother Ajayi was flanked at the briefing by her loving husband, Rev Ademuyiwa Ajayi, and her daughter, who doubles as her Personal Assistant, Olawunmi Ajayi.

    She noted that the Esther Ajayi Foundation has made amazing impact since inception, even as the seven persons empowered during the Ovation Carol of December 2017 are doing very well, and even empowering others. However, she modestly stressed that:

    “Our joy is not only about the amazing impact… but seeing it become so successful that those we have empowered have themselves started touching other lives positively.”

    She reiterated the desire of the Foundation in considering the Libya returnees, first, as a multi-purpose facility being constructed in Odogbolu, Ogun State for teaching of vocational, courses is almost ready. She praised the likes of Ovation CEO, Bashorun Dele Momodu,  and the founder, Focus on Disability Foundation, Mr Abiodun Paseda, for their support of her philanthropic efforts.

    In continuation of her trips towards affecting lives, Reverend Mother Ajayi, who declared that of the proposed one million lives to be touched this year, over 600, 000 has been affected so far even as the year is still young, will soon be in Turkey to visit Refugee camps and get a first-hand knowledge of their experience with a view to lend a helping hand.

  • APC ward congress: LG boss preaches peace, unity

    The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi has urged members of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) to promote peace and unity during today’s nationwide ward congress of the party.

    This, he said, was necessary to engender purposeful leadership in the country.

    Egunjobi made the call on Thursday at a meeting with members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the area ahead of the party’s ward congresses across the country.

    Addressing members of the party at the meeting, the council chief canvassed for smooth conduct of the exercise at the ward level, describing it as the foundation for leadership at the national level.

    “If we get it right at the ward level, you can be sure that leadership at the national level will be right and just.

    “Therefore, our officers at the ward level must be dedicated and be men and women of proven integrity,” he said.

    Egunjobi also implored party faithful to be guided by the principle of fairness, equity and justice in the election of party officials.

    He assured that the exercise would be hitch-free in Agege, urging party loyalists and members to eschew any form of violence that could mar it.

  • Oluwo: my multicultural conducts are for national integration, unity

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, has explained reasons for his multi-cultural conducts.

    He advised people not to misunderstand his motive of adorning an Islamic regalia and answering the title of Emir of Yorubaland, saying it was meant to foster unity through cultural integration.

    In a statement by his media aide, Ibraheem Alli, the monarch enjoined other traditional rulers in Yorubaland to see beyond today and work for a united country through an aggressive cultural integration.

    He advised his colleagues to challenge the old order, which he said was “characterised by stigmatisation, threat of secession and inhumane killing on a racial claim.”

    Oba Akanbi said he would continue to use all means to challenge the old order of discrimination that has continued to polarise the nation along tribal sentiment, adding that love, cultural understanding, peaceful co-existence are necessary ingredients for nation building.

    He said: “I want those criticising me for wearing an Emir costume and answering to the title of an Emir to see beyond the surface and dig deep for an understanding of my motive. I have explained that the title is not peculiar to the Northern kings. It is an Arabic word and by virtue of the position of Iwo in bringing Islam to Yorubaland with the presence of the first mosque in the ancient town in 1655, it is in order.

    “A responsible monarch is a father to all in any part of the country. Let’s forget about the tribal affiliation. Through sentiment many valuable lives of Nigerians have been wasted. Many have been killed ignorantly under the guise of discrimination, forgetting that we are all Nigerians.

    “Every king is a father to all, irrespective of their location. If you want to be father to all you should accommodate everyone and treat them equally. This will not only promote true democracy, but will also encourage the much desired national unity.

    “Discrimination has dragged us so backward politically as well. Our conventional behaviour is retrogressive. Yoruba man resident for many years in the North or the East should be able to contest in Hausa and Igboland. Nigeria’s political structure should allow political representation by Nigerians from any location once they have been residents of many years in that place. We are still in the dark age. Until my teaching is heard, I shall push my belief to the doors of all authorities.

    “Regrettably, discrimination has posed a monumental challenged to our national growth. Many lives are lost on a daily basis on this. Must it continue like this? Hence, the urgent acute need for cultural integration by the traditional institution. Every king in Nigeria should be able to relate with Nigerians irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation. We are one. I have Fulani, Hausa and Igbo in my domain. They are all my children. I’m an Emir to the Hausa in my domain, Igwe to the Igbo and so on.”