GEJ-Please, Nigerians, help ...

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday begged Nigerians for support in the fight against the lingering security challenges facing the nation...

Speaking in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, at the 80th birthday of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Jonathan, urged Nigerians to shun religious and ethnic backgrounds and join the government in proffering lasting solution to the problem of terrorism.


The event which had the Bayelsa State governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Mu’azu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and a host of others commended the distinctive leadership style of Oba Adetona.
General Jones Arogbofa (rtd), who spoke through his chief of staff at the luncheon party, said the president pleaded with Nigerians to rally round his administration in putting an end to the activities of Boko Haram.
The President while reacting to the abduction of over 234 girls from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, promised that the government would do everything possible to overcome the security problem soon.
"I want to plead with all of us that these are challenges that we are all faced with. They are challenges that all of us should join hands together to resolve for the good of our dear country' he said.
Jonathan disclosed that he has been meeting with some interested parties, especially international community brainstorming on how to tackle the security challenges, citing it as reason for his absence at the occasion.
The President, who described the Awujale as epitome of peace and unity, attributed the celebrant’s leadership style to the prevailing peace in Ijebuland.
"I deeply appreciate all you have been doing for this land and indeed for the Yorubaland and even for the entire nation. For the period that you have been in the saddle as ruler, extreme peace has existed in Ijebuland. You have contributed enormously to the development of governments during your period of service as attested to by your own son who is the governor of the state" he said.
Dickson in his goodwill message, eulogized the qualities of the celebrant, describing him as a unifying factor that has strengthened the traditional institution in Ijebuland and development efforts of the Ogun State Government in particular and the nation in general.
"On behalf of the government and good people of Bayelsa State and even as one of your sons, I congratulate you on your well deserved 80th birthday and may God in His infinite wisdom and mercy continue to bestow upon you, all that you need to continue to do what you have been doing so well for the great people of Ijebuland of which I am one, and for the good people of Ogun State. And also, for all that you are doing, working with your brother traditional rulers in promoting the cause of harmony and peaceful co-existence" Dickson said.
Amosun, in his speech revealed that both previous and present administrations of the state have benefited from the wealth of experience of the Awujale, adding that his administration couldn’t have achieved its present feat of success without the contributions of the royal father.
He named the first flyover constructed by the State government in Ijebu-Ode city after the traditional ruler.
Oba (Dr.) Adetona, in his address called on Nigerians to let go their political and religious differences and join the president in fighting the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
The royal father pleaded with leaders in the Country to tolerate public opinion in their quest to building a better Nigerian society.