Nigerians must embrace national unity for development —Buhari

President Muhamadu Buhari, on Monday, emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace national unity towards progress and development of the country.

He said this at the 20th Memorial Service of the first female industrialist in Nigeria, late Chief (Mrs) Bisoye Tejuoso, organised by the Tejuoso Royal Family in conjunction with Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said the legacies of the third Iyalode of Egbaland had remained a reference point for Nigeria.

Buhari said the country needed the likes of Madam Tejuoso at this critical period in the nation’s history to take the country back to track.

The president said, “If our leaders had demonstrated the foresight, uprightness and managerial skills of Chief Bisoye Tejuoso, our economy would have been better.

“Our past leaders refused to save and diversify the economy. Chief Bisoye Tejuoso’s success story in business can serve as a roadmap on how we can come out of recession.

“She rewarded excellence and merit. She was a true heroine and a woman of courage. Her life should propel us to dedicate our lives more to the unity, progress and security of our country.”

Osinbajo canvassed for community policing, saying that the Nigeria Police had not been able to unravel the killers of the matriarch of the Tejuoso dynasty who was assassinated at the age of 80 years, in 1996.

He insisted that community policing would help the country to tackle the security challenges battling it.

The ceremony was equally attended by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Ooni of Ife, Oba  Enitan Ogunwusi; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, represented by the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba, among others.