Against the background of the divisive ranting between the agitators for the Republic of Biafra and the Northern youths that asked the Igbos to leave their land, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that the oneness of this country is not negotiable.
The Acting President, who apparently was responding to an open letter from the Northern youths advising him to allow the Igbos to form their Biafran Republic, said: “all of us have agreed that our nation must remain one.
“When we spoke yesterday with traditional rulers from the South-East; despite the issues that were raised here and there, I think that there is clarity as to that one thing, that our country ought to remain, must remain a united country.”
Osinbajo, who held an Iftar dinner for traditional rulers from the North at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, today, Monday, said that Nigeria requires the kind of maturity and leadership that the traditional rulers have displayed “and I want to thank you for that leadership and for that maturity.
“In particular, I want to thank the Sultan for always being there, for always being ready to offer advice and in many times to offer an alternative view to what might appear to be the popular view and I am extremely grateful to you for all of that support.
The Acting President recalled that a lot of blood has been shed on account of the unity of Nigeria and that the lives of those who have made the supreme sacrifice to this country, demands that Nigerians do everything on their part to keep the country together.
“And in any event, the greatest nations in the world are those nations who have the size as well as the human resources in particular to make the best of that size, and I think our nation has that and the mere fact that we have such a large nation and so well-endowed, in terms of human resources.
“I think that we are in the best position not only to be truly great but to ensure that all of our people benefit from the greatness of our country.
So, I want to thank you again for your kindness and for doing us this honour of attending this Iftar and for sharing the love of the season.
“I pray that the almighty God will bless you and keep your kingdoms safe and also extend your own lives so that you will rule your kingdoms for long and you will rule your kingdoms in good health.” [myad]
