…..AS DICKSON, AMOSUN, MU’AZU, TINUBU, BUHARI, OTHERS CELEBRATE AWUJALE AT 80
President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State called for the collaborative efforts of the people, irrespective of their religious and ethnic backgrounds in proffering lasting solution to the lingering security challenges in the country.
This is just as the Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and a host of others lauded the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona over what they described as distinctive style of leadership.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, General Jones Arogbofa (Rtd) at a luncheon party to mark the 80th birthday of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, the President pleaded with Nigerians to rally round his administration in putting an end to the activities of the terrorist group, otherwise known as Boko Haram.
Piqued by the spate of killings, especially the recent abduction of over 200 girls at the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, President Jonathan said the government would do everything possible to overcome the security problem soon.
His appeal, “I want to plead with all of us that these are challenges that we are all faced with. They are challenges that all of us should join hands together to resolve for the good of our dear country.
He disclosed further, that he has been meeting with some interested parties, especially people from outside the Country on how best to tackle the security challenges, citing it as reason for his absence at the occasion.
Describing the Awujale as epitome of peace and unity, not only in Ijebuland, but Nigeria as a whole, the President attributed the celebrant’s leadership style to the prevailing peace in Ijebuland.
He said, “I deeply appreciate all you have been doing for this land and indeed for the Yorubaland and even for the entire nation. For the period that you have been in the saddle as ruler, extreme peace has existed in Ijebuland. You have contributed enormously to the development of governments during your period of service as attested to by your own son who is the governor of the state.
In his goodwill message, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson eulogized the qualities of the celebrant, describing him as a unifying factor that has strengthened the traditional institution in Ijebuland and development efforts of the Ogun State Government in particular and the nation in general.
Hon. Dickson, who was accompanied by his Political Adviser, Chief Fred Agbedi and Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Barrister Kemela Okara, prayed God to endow the monarch with more wisdom and good health to continue to impact positively on humanity.
According to him, “On behalf of the government and good people of Bayelsa State and even as one of your sons, I congratulate you on your well deserved 80th birthday and may God in His infinite wisdom and mercy continue to bestow upon you, all that you need to continue to do what you have been doing so well for the great people of Ijebuland of which I am one, and for the good people of Ogun State. And also, for all that you are doing, working with your brother traditional rulers in promoting the cause of harmony and peaceful co-existence.
In his tribute, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun acknowledged that both previous and present administrations of the state have benefited from the wealth of experience of the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
Amosun who noted that his administration couldn’t have achieved its present feat of success without the contributions of the royal father, named the first flyover constructed by the State government in Ijebu-Ode city after the monarch.
Addressing the people, the celebrant, Oba (Dr.) Adetona called on Nigerians to sink their political and religious differences and join the President Jonathan led administration to combat the security challenges bedeviling the Country.
While expressing gratitude to all who identified with him on the occasion, Oba Adetona urged leaders in the Country to tolerate public opinion in their quest to building a better Nigerian society.
Bayelsa State Government Press Release
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