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Oba Stresses Unity As Attah Gets Egba Title
THE Egba Monarch, Oba Oyebade Lipede, yesterday stressed the inevitability of Nigeria's unity, insisting that the country's strength lies in its unity.
He spoke while conferring chieftaincy titles on the governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah and his wife, Nnenyin Alison Attah at a colourful ceremony held at the Ake Palace grounds.
The Alake suggested that one way of encouraging Nigeria's unity is through exchange of chieftaincy titles across the various ethnic nationalities in the country.
The king, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Lateef Adegbite, said "we are conscious of the varying effect the culture interaction, which an exchange of chieftaincy titles across states, entails. This may be another route to the effective integration of the diverse communities making up the Nigerian nation."
Oba Lipede described Attah as a true promoter of the welfare of his people and an apostle of good governance. He expressed the hope that Attah would sustain such virtues.
He told the governor that, in his new position as an Egba High chief, he had automatically become one of his advisers and that the governor would, in addition, be expected to be in the forefront of developing Egbaland socially, economically and politically.
Attah bagged the title of Fiwagboye of Egbaland while his wife was conferred with Erelu Fiwagboye of Egbaland.
The governor, in his response, said the honour was not for him alone but for all Akwa Ibom indigenes. He said the honour has joined the Egba and Akwa Ibom people as brothers and sisters.
"All I can promise is that I will abide by the oath of my office (chieftaincy)," he said. "We will now see Egba people as our brothers and sisters."
Agreeing with Oba Lipedede that such chieftaincy title should be encouraged, Attah said this is the basis on which we will build one strong Nigeria. He then appealed to all Nigerians to forget their ethnic differences and work towards the country's unity.
A speech delivered by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Salmot Badrul described Attah as a governor who has focus, insisting that Ogun State has a lot to share with Akwa Ibom State.
According to her, the friendship between the two states has just started. She expressed the hope that it would blossom to fruition.
The secretary to the Federal Government (SSG), Chief Effot Ekaete, who represented President Olusegun Obasanjo at the ceremony, said Oba Lipede made the right choice by honouring Attah whom he described as an apostle of peace, progress and unity of Nigeria.
Among the personalities at the ceremony were Prof. Ango Abdulahi, presidential advisers, senators and other politicians.
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