Traditional rulers harp on Nigeria’s unity

www.tribune.com.ng 

Traditional rulers across the six geo graphical zones on Saturday resolved that Nigeria’s unity was not negotiable and that history points to the fact that the  different ethnic nationalities making up the country had inter relationship with one another ever before the British rule.

Speaking at the presentation of a book “Ile Ife: The Source of Yoruba  Civilization,” written by Prince Adelegan Adegbola and launched at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, the rulers admitted that ever before the coming of the Europeans, various tribes in Nigeria had interacted with one another, “so there is the need to study the history of each ethnic nationalities,  which will enhance the co existence of each ethnic nationalities.”

The traditional  rulers, guests of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, noted that distortion of history was one of the reasons for inter ethnic crisis, stressing that there was the need for compulsory teaching of History in secondary schools .

Speaking at the event, the  Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said there was no doubt in the unity of Nigeria, as the presence of traditional rulers across the geo political zones in Ile Ife had affirmed. “I  have no doubt in our unity, our believe in one another. I am glad to be here to witness this epochal on the history of Yoruba, I feel very comfortable about this occasion  and the location, I want people to prevent free culture of the people and not learn about our culture from the colonial perspective,” he advised.

Speaking in same vein, the Obi of Onitsa, Igwe Nnaemeka  Achebe   said if we understand ourselves and relate with one another, the better it would be for the country,” “Nigerians should find more time to build on the inter relationship that existed among them before the British rule, because that is the strength of the nation that needed to be built upon,” he added.

The chairman of the occasion, Major General Adeyinka  Adebayo (rtd),  expressed delight for the coming together of Nigerian traditional rulers noting that the leaders were eager to unite all the ethnic nationalities, because Nigeria remains one entity that was not divisible.

“It is what all of us have been fighting for, to move together and remain united. We are starting a new beginning, a new era in Ile Ife” he said .

The occasion, which was attended by over 100 traditional rulers across the country, had in attendance: Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; Emir of Ilorin, Sulu Gambari; Emir of ZauZau; representatives of Olu of Warri.

Also present were prominent Nigerians which included Chief H I D Awolowo represented by Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah, Chief G O K Ajayi (SAN), Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Ade Ojo,  Chief Olu Falae, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Kessington Adebutu represented by Oladipupo Adebutu, among other dignitaries.