….As South South Monarchs hold security summit
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha has announced the willingness of President Muhammadu Buhari to engage traditional institutions in promoting peaceful cohabitation among Nigerian citizens.
Boss Mustapha notes President Buhari’s continued acknowledgement of the royal fathers in the task of peace building.
The SGF who was a special guest of honour at the 2-Day Security Summit of the South South Monarchs Forum in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, commended the traditional rulers for their efforts in maintaining peace at various domains, adding that the peace of the Niger Delta translates to the peace of the whole country.
“I commend the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) for their efforts. Mr president continues to acknowledge the place of the traditional rulers in building peace in the country. The traditional rulers hold the key to the success or failure of the society because they directly relate with the people. The peace of the Niger Delta region is the peace of the entire nation”, he said.
Reiterating the commitment of the Buhari’s administration towards wrestling corruption, the SGF who discouraged Nigerians from indulging in religious and ethnic suspicion, announced the resolve of government towards providing remediation on the collapsed Calabar – Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene-Aba road.
“The ICPC through my office, recently organized a summit on nipping corruption. Government is determined to wrestle corruption, especially concerning constituency projects which is funded by the federal government. Traditional rulers must be aware of the locations of the projects.
“We have allowed suspicion to dominate our thinking because of religion and ethnicity. This should not be the case. Let us shun the primordial sentiments capable of destroying us as a people. I am impressed with the manner the NCTRN is taking up security concerns. This is just one of the rotational summits on the issue. I assure you that my office will keep working with the NCTRN.
“I can attest to the fact that Calabar-Itu road was discussed last week in the Federal Executive Council meeting when the Minister for Works gave a report on the condition of our federal roads. I can assure you that the road will soon receive the necessary remediation”.
In his welcome address, the Chief Host, His Eminence, Nteyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk who is the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, said a peaceful and healthy South South geo-political region was germane to Nigeria’s economic wellbeing.
Describing as apt, the theme of the summit, “Creating Synergy with the Governments of South South States towards ensuring a peaceful and Crime-free South South Geopolitical zone”, Solomon Etuk who is also the Oku Ibom Ibibio (Patriarch of Ibibio people worldwide), called on policy makers to adopt programmes that would ensure improved security in the region.
“A peaceful and healthy South South geo-political region is germane to Nigeria’s economic wellbeing. It is therefore of great importance to work towards guaranteeing a crime-free South South region through improved security network as well as good policies and programmes that meet the needs of the people.”
In a chat with journalists at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Sentaor Ita Enang commended South South Monarchs for putting the event together. He said the occasion would provide a platform for the royal fathers to brainstorm on the best ways of tackling security challenges in their domain and Nigeria by extension.
The event’s opening ceremony which was chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and declared open by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, featured goodwill messages and a key note address delivered by a History scholar from the University of Uyo.
