Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it would require collective efforts of all Nigerians to develop the country.
The governor made the call while addressing traditional rulers in the state at the Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, yesterday, in Asaba.
He said that Nigerians had a great role to play in living peacefully in unity, as no meaningful development could take place without peace.
Okowa lauded the rulers for ensuring that peace prevailed in their various kingdoms, and regretted that he had not been able to meet them as regularly as he wished.
He said, “I have come before you to have a moment with you all because for some time I have found myself so busy, particularly this year that is an electioneering year.
“I must use this opportunity to thank all our royal fathers for the great role they play in their various kingdoms because I know that once it is well with all their kingdoms, it will be well with the entirety of Delta state.
“I always pride myself with the fact that Delta state is peaceful because our royal fathers are doing a great job in the state.
“Beyond the work that they do to keep their kingdoms as peaceful as possible, they have continued to pray for our state.
“I cannot ignore the role our royal fathers have continued to play in ensuring peace in our state.”
He also lauded the traditional rulers for the bond that existed amongst them, which, according to him, had translated to the peace in the entire state.
“Your Majesties, you have continued to draw yourselves to each other, and when you continue to bond amongst yourselves, you are actually bringing an everlasting bond amongst our people in the state.
“And to that extent, we have continued to stay together as a united people despite the differences in our languages.
“So, I want to thank each and everyone of you for this role you have continued to play.
“Delta is a mini-Nigeria but we are united, and if our voices could be such that is closely knitted together, I believe that Nigeria can actually be closely knit together.
“So, I truly want to thank you for all that you have been doing to ensure peace and unity of our people because without the peace and unity, it will be difficult to develop our state.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate all our royal fathers for the support that you have given me for almost seven and half years now,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to live in peace in order to help in rebuilding trust in the nation.
“We had a very difficult beginning in the state but things have continued to improve even when we would have had more if the economy was good in our nation today.
“I want to urge and pray that we need to continue this spirit of oneness and I am sure that we would still be able to deliver the dividends of democracy until the last day in office.
“I see the brotherhood and love between the traditional institutions in this state and it gladdens my heart and I hope that every state is able to emulate this and that if we can come together as a people and stay on the path of Justice, we would be able to take ourselves out of where we are today.
“Every Nigerian should realise that we have individual and collective roles to play in order to rebuild the foundations of our nation,” Okowa said.
Earlier, Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue I, said traditional rulers in the state were grateful to Okowa for his support for the traditional institution in the state.
He pledged their continuous support towards the governor’s stronger Delta vision.
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