Prof. Osibanjo Charges Traditional Rulers Of Ethnic Tolerance

…As Otaru of Auchi Confers Chieftaincy Title On Clem Agba

By Simeon OSAJIE

Vice President Professor Yemi Osibanjo has tasked traditional rulers to entrench religious and ethnic tolerance in their domains to foster peace and unity in Nigeria.

Professor Osibanjo gave the advised during the conferment of a chieftaincy title “The Oduma” (Lion) of Auchi on the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba by the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III.

The Vice President said he did his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Auchi which symbolises what Nigeria should be and advised to accommodate each other irrespective of ethnic or religious background like in the case of Agba who is from Uzanu in Etsako East local government but found a home in Auchi he lived from when he was two years old.

He said; “The Auchi kingdom has its rich and special history and a celebrated innovation and enterprise of its sons and daughters has brought development and prominence to this kingdom and Edo State. It is remarkable and worthy of praise that in the great Auchi Kingdom adherence of both major religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity have lived and continue to live harmoniously together for centuries sharing a common bond as embers of this community and even of the same biological families.

“Auchi is therefore in a real sense not just the microcosm of Nigeria, but also an exemplification of our finest values of mutuality and community.

“Our country needs men and women who see and understands that our ethnic diversities is not a point of difference, of men and women who understand that all people regardless of ethnicity and faith deserves to be treated equally fairly and justly and this is where the significance of the traditional institution comes to be because they are regarded and rightly so as the custodians of these values and embodied and the highest and noblest ideals of the people.”

On his part, Chief Clem Agba said the conferment was an appreciation and encouragement for him to continue to offer more services to humanity.

He commended the Edo State government for continuing ten erosion check programs across the state which he said were started when he was the Commissioner for Environment under the administration of Comrade Oshiomhole and appealed that the Benin Water Storm Project which they also started should not be abandoned.

Among dignitaries at the colourful event were the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, her Transportation counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Power Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation, several other political appointees and government officials.

Others included former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu who represented the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, traditional rulers led by the representative of the Oba of Benin.