President Good luck Jonathan has assured
the people of the South Western part of Nigeria that they would not be left
behind in the scheme of things when re-elected in the 2015 general elections.
The president stated this yesterday while
addressing South-West leaders at the Yoruba Unity Summit held at the Oduduwa
Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where protesting
students booed him.
The theme of the programme was “Nigeria
Development: Whither The Yoruba.”
President Jonathan who was accompanied by
the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu
Mu’azu, some ministers and members of the National Assembly, described the
South West as a key part of Nigeria which his administration must work with.
According to him, the contributions of
Yoruba people to nation building were enormous, hence the need for them to
embrace love, unity and understanding to overcome all the challenges facing
the country.
The president also assured Nigerians that
the recommendations of the recently conducted National Conference would be
implemented to the letter as and when due.
While also appreciating the elders and the
traditional rulers in the South West for their support for his government
since inception, the president promised to accord them equal treatment along
with other geopolitical zones of the country.
In another development, former Minister of
Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, while delivering a paper on the topic:
“Unity of Yoruba Nation” noted that the journey of president Jonathan into the
presidency was not a mistake. He, therefore, assured him of Yoruba people’s
support with a view to ensuring that the region would not be deprived of its
position.
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Port
Authority, Chief Bode George, in his own remarks, said Yoruba people could not
afford to be going in different directions, hence the need to manage their
dispute with civility.
In their goodwill messages, the Orangun
Of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Chief Olu Falae, Governor Ayodele Fayose,
Mrs Mulikat Akande Adeola and Senator Femi Okurounmu urged the president not
to be distracted by comments and actions of some people against his
administration.
In attendance were the Ooni of Ife, Oba
Okunade Sijuwade, Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, academics,
captains of industries, members of the People’s Democratic Party among
others.
Meanwhile, students of the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife booed the president when he was going out of the campus.
They variously condemned his government, lamenting that his administration does
not favour the education sector. They also lamented his inability to rescue
the Chibok Girls from the shackles of Boko Haram insurgents.
Attempts to stone him, were however,
foiled by the security personnel, even as they blocked the road in an attempt
to stop him from going out.
The protest was fuelled by the tight
security which denied the students access to the school, especially because
they were writing exams.
OAU Students Boo Goodluck During Visit To South West Obas And Leaders Of Thougths In Campus
byCKN NEWS
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