By Our Correspondent
Former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, have called for concerted efforts by Nigerians to strengthen the country’s unity by building legacies of peace.
The duo who were in Port Harcourt at the official inauguration of the palace of the Egbere-Emere Okori Eleme, His Royal Highness, Appolos Chu of Eleme Kingdom, said the unity of the country was none negotiable and sacrosanct.
Speaking earlier, the former military leader and octogenarian said it was important for the people to imbibe the virtues of harmonious relationship irrespective of their states of origin.
According to him, the unity of the country is greater than any primordial interest, adding that it was important for people to build bridges of unity across the country and promote peaceful coexistence by establishing legacies that would sustain peace and unity.
On his part, the Etsu Nupe commended King Appolos for bringing together traditional rulers from all the geo-political zones of the country for the inauguration, saying the traditional institution had the sacred responsibility of fostering peaceful coexistence amongst the various ethnicities of the country and assured of their commitment towards lasting peace in the country.
The paramount ruler also agreed that the peace and unity of the country were none negotiable ad called on the political elite and traditional institutions to support the quest for a united and peaceful country.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Eleme Kingdom, expressed his gratitude to Gen. Gowon, Etsu Nupe and all traditional rulers that graced the occasion.
He thanked them for their wonderful show of solidarity and prayed for a sustained relationship.
More than 70 traditional rulers across the country attended the occasion.
