Delegates from South East Traditional Council paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Oyo State,Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
The courtesy call was necessitated by the cordial relationship between Ndigbos and the Government of Oyo State. The delegates also came to identify with the Ndigbos in Oyo State for their World Igbo Cultural Day slated for 30th of November, 2014 at main bowl of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The leader of the delegate, His Royal Majesty Igwe Dr. Elder E.U. Nneli appreciated the Governor of Oyo State for the cordial relationship with Ndigbo resident in Ibadan and also called for the unity of Nigeria.
“Our reason for been here is simple; first, i appreciate the government of Oyo State for its cordial relationship with Ndigbos in Oyo state. We in the South East have our hears on ground and Ndigbos in Oyo State have reported the governor and government in good light. We thank you for that and we ask that the relationship should continue.”
“Nigeria is one indivisible nation. We don’t want the nation to disintegrate. Since we did not disintegrate between 1967 to1970 when there was a very serious crisis in Nigeria but ended the matter amicably with ‘no winner no vanquish,’ we must live as one entity. The issue of Boko Haram will soon be overcomed
Our second mission here is to identify with the Ndigbo under the leadership of Chief A. O. Obi. We ask you to deal with them as the only recognized leader of the Ndigbo in Oyo State. These are the only people the South East Traditional Council recognises
Oyo state is one of the greatest states in Nigeria; we want you people to always share ideas with us in the south east because nobody is perfect; we are all learning.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo who welcomed the delegates, disclosed that the various Igbo factions should unite as one. He also called for the unity of the country.
“On behalf of the Governor and People of Oyo State, I welcome all royal fathers here present from the South East, everybody knows Oyo State as one of the oldest states in Nigeria. Oyo state is referred to as the Pace Setter State, setting the pace in everything. Oyo State has the first university in Nigeria but when I go to University of Ibadan and they tell me that University of Ibadan is the first, I always tell them I attended University of Nsukka which is the first autonomous university in Nigeria.”
“Your coming to these chambers is highly appreciated by the governor who is out of the country; he would have come to meet with you. We are fully behind you and I want to assure you that we would be well represented at the World Igbo Cultural Day to cheer you up.”
“Nigeria belongs to everybody, I personally dislike tribal discrimination. I lived in Ghana for about 18 years. I voted and was given scholarship there even though I wasn’t from Ghana. We are all Nigerians, why should we discriminate among ourselves? We must join hands together to make Nigeria one.”
“I want to also appeal to you people to come together as one because it is for the benefit of the Igbos and also the benefit of the indigenes of Oyo state, it’s a common saying that a house divided against itself will fall, I pray the Ndigos don’t fall but whatever the royal fathers can do to bring both factions of Ndigbo to a round table to settle amicably the problem within.”
“Our cooperation with the Ndigbo is natural because you have Yoruba in the East and Ndigbos in the West and I want us to live in harmony with ourselves irrespective of the tribe and religion. May I also inform you that we have Igbos in the executive arm of Oyo state, they are Mrs. Rose Oyedele, Mrs. Ubah and Mr Godwin Ogbodo.” He said.
