The traditional ruler of Akure Kingdom, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, said the restructuring of Nigeria remains the only way out of the myriads of challenges confronting the nation rather than the call for the disintegration of the Nigeria state by some sections.
Oba Aladelusi who appealed to agitators and promoters of secession ideas to have a rethink in the interest of the country said Nigeria will remain unprogressive, stagnated and insecure if not restructured.
The monarch who stated this during the official presentation of the new Igbo leader, High Chief (Sir) Uwenweke Ezeorji, to the Igbo community in Akure said though the agitator has the right to call for self-determination but stated that it must be done within the ambit of the law.
He noted that all the challenges confronting the nation had crippled the nation’s economy, saying the seemingly unending insecurity across the nation could make the people consider secession as the only available and viable option at the moment.
He, however, cautioned the government at all levels not to take the people for granted urging leaders to attend to the needs of the common man, noting that the majority of Nigerians are living below the poverty line.
He said the purchasing power of our Naira is astronomically depreciating with many states owing salaries and gratuities, urging the government to attend to this urgently to nip the challenges in the bud and put a stop to self-determination by various groups in the country.
The Monarch called for religious tolerance among the various faiths in the country to guarantee peace and unity and put an end to poverty, insecurity among other challenges.
While presenting the new Igbo leader to the people, he urged him to re-unite all the aggrieved parties and ensure that there is peaceful co-existence between the Igbo community and their host.
The Monarch charged the new leader who he described as an honest and detribalised Nigerian with the requisite experience and ability to effectively provide leadership for the Igbo community and ensure cohesion between them and their host community across the state.
The new Igbo Leader, High Chief Ezeorji, commended the Akure monarch for the confidence reposed in him and assured the people of the state that he will work hard to ensure that a harmonious relationship exists between the Igbos and their host communities are restored and sustained.
While lamenting the unfortunate incidents that led to the removal of the erstwhile leader, Sir Gregory Ilohehika, the Igbo leader described the incident as unfortunate which does not reflect the true character of the Igbo people.
He said “the Igbo people believe so much in tradition and customs. If you go to all the states in the East, you will observe that our people don’t toy with the customs and norms of the Igbo land.
“It is therefore out of place and unacceptable for anyone to do anything sacrilegious that could bastardize the traditions of our hosts wherever we find ourselves.”
He, however, promised to pursue peace, unity and reconciliation within the Igbo community so as to heal the wound of the past so that we can remain more virile and united.
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