Oyetola appeals to Igbo community to maintain peaceful coexistence

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola has appealed to members of the Igbo community in the state to maintain peaceful coexistence with their host communities.

Oyetola disclosed this on Thursday during an engagement meeting with the newly elected officers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Osun State chapter.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said that growth and development can only be achieved when there is peace and people of all tribes feel secure in any region of the country they live in.

He noted that harmonious relationship and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, irrespective of tribes or ethnicity, would help the country to overcome its current challenges.

The governor, who commended members of the Igbo for their support in sustaining the peaceful atmosphere in the state, said he would continue to protect their interest.

Oyetola said peaceful coexistence would bring stability and enhance national economic growth and development.

The governor said that an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between the government and the governed was needed for the growth and development of any nation.

“Nigeria is a great and prosperous country. And for us to continue to enjoy this greatness, there must be peace and stability in the land.

“Intolerance and insurgency leads to poverty, hunger, unemployment, unrest, among others, and that is the reason we must continue to live together peacefully.

“Peaceful coexistence will bring stability, growth and make the economy vibrant, while the lack of it will bring underdevelopment and unrest,” he said.

Oyetola also urged all the Ndigbo community and other residents of the state to individually and collectively contribute their quotas to the sustenance of peace and security in the state.

The governor also appealed to the Ndigbo to support his re-election in the forthcoming July 16 governorship election in the state so as to consolidate on the achievements of the past years.

In his remarks, the president of the group, John Dike, commended the governor for his love for humanity, which had made Osun a peaceful state without intertribal conflicts.

Dike stated that their businesses had been thriving well due to prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

He also commended the governor for various developmental projects across the state, adding that the group would continue to live peacefully with other tribes  and also support the governor for his re-election.