President Goodluck Jonathan has urged for peaceful co-existence
among religious, political and ethnic groups in Nigeria
The president made the plea in Ibadan on Monday during a thanksgiving service held at
St. Peter’s Church, Aremo, Ibadan to mark the 100 years birthday celebration
of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.
Jonathan, who was represented by a delegation led by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, regretted a bomb explosion at
an Abuja motor park at the early hours of the day, where 71 people were confirmed dead.
He praised the people of Southwest Nigeria for co-existing
peacefully in spite of their many areas of divergence, urging Nigerians from
other parts of the country to learn from their counterpart in the zone.
“The Bible they read in the Southwest is the same as the one read
in the North. The Quran they read in the Southwest is the same as the one read in the
North and other parts of the country. If the people of this region (Southwest)
can live together in peace despite their differences, there is no reason why we
should not achieve same in other parts of this country,” the minister noted while
delivering the President’s goodwill message.
While apologizing for the Jonathan’s absence, Maku said the
President had been planning to attend the monarch’s centenary celebration since last year.
“The President had promised the Olubadan to honour him on
his centenary birthday. But, just this morning, the enemies of the nation
struck at Nyanya area of Abuja with a bomb blast.
“Many Nigerians, who left their homes and never thought of
not coming back, lost their lives,” Maku said.
He described the monarch as a very rare bred with uncommon
pedigree.
The state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, also attributed the
Olubandan’s long life to his large heart and penchant for forthrightness.
“Oba Odulana harbours no hatred or bitterness against anyone
and asked the present generation of Nigerians to learn a critical lesson from
his life.
“Those who know him, even pre-his ascendancy to the throne,
speak eloquently about a man who typifies honour and nobility. He has an
attachement to the place of humanity in the scheme of things,” the governor
noted.
In his short sermon, the Diocesan Archbishop, Segun
Okubadejo, described the life of the monarch as unique.
According to him, besides being the first Olubadan to clock
100 years on the throne, Oba Odulana’s attributes place him in the picture of a
righteous man as described in the Bible.
Among the dignitaries at the church service are Ogun state
Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former governors of Oyo state, Omololu Olunloyo,
Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Others are Omobolaji Johnson, Minister of ICT and Technology;
Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of Defense; Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of
Agriculture; Jelili Adesiyan, Minister of Police Affairs; Olajumoke
Akinjide, Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory; and Seyi Makinde, a Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in the state, among many others.
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