Jettison Tribalism, Embrace Unity, Alake Charges Nigerians

The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called on Nigerians to jettison tribalism and embrace unity more than ever to navigate through the current socio-economic situation in the country.

The Alake who made the call at the weekend while playing host to the national executives and members of the Federal Government College Maiduguri Old Students Association (FECOGOMOSA) who paid a courtesy visit to his palace in Abeokuta, said Nigerians must not allow the present situation in the country to divide them, rather, they must come together and forge a way to resolve all the issues underpinning the progress of the nation.

Members of the Old Students Association of the Unity School were in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for the 36th Annual General Conference, hosted by the Ogun State Chapter of the association.

Speaking further, Oba Gbadebo commended the old students’ association for keeping the torch of unity burning by organising the yearly event, which according to him, has served as an avenue for bringing members of the association together to brainstorm on progress and development of the country.

Alake who disclosed that he was in the military when unity schools were established by the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) in 1973, to foster stronger unity among Nigerians after the civil war, noted that initiative such as the annual general conference by FECOGOMOSA should be emulated by similar associations.

While lauding the association for continuing to build strong relationships among the old students across the country, the monarch stressed that only in unity and non-tribal sentiments Nigeria as a nation can achieve its full potential.

Earlier in his remarks, the president of FECOGOMOSA, Chris Abu, explained that the association converged on the Ogun State capital for its annual general conference, organised to seek ways forward for the country.

Abu further explained that the executives and members of the old students’ association were in Ònà Gbdebo’s palace to seek his royal blessings and advice, stressing that the annual conference is being held annually to foster unity as well as cement cordial tribal relationships among those who passed through the Federal Government College, Maiduguri.

The chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Abel Imonigavwe commended the Alake for playing host to the FECOGOMOSA as well as his royal admonition, which according to him, will continue to guide the association.