The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero have said that for the country to achieve its anticipated development, all ethnic tribes and tongues must embrace and regards unity and peace as topmost priority of their daily lives.
The Monarchs, who said this in Calabar during the courtesy visit of the Emir to the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, noted that Nigerians do not have the luxury of staying divided on ethnic, political and religious lines any longer as effects of acrimony was too heavy to contemplate.
Speaking, Edidem Abasi-Otu, who addressed the Emir of Kano as ‘my brother,’ said “the visit of the Emir of Kano is, to me, historic and will go a long way to cement the existing bond of unity between the two people of Kano and Cross River States.
“Let me say that we have had this relationship far back beyond two of us. We inherited the relationship and we are poised to keep and possibly improve on it for the sake of posterity.
“My prayer is that this oneness and unity will be replicated by our people across the country because as they say, divided we fall and together we win. I implore all Nigerians to allow peace and unity to reign. That is the only way through which we could progress and develop as a country.
“Our University, UniCal, is blessed to have such a sound, decent and revered Monarch, the Emir of Kano, as its Chancellor. He has the capacity to open more doors for the good of UniCal and raise its status.”
Speaking earlier, Alhaji Bayero, whose investiture as the Chancellor of University of Calabar took place on Thursday in the institution, said “let the Obong of Calabar and the people of Cross River State know that they have a brother from Kano. I promise to always be there, not only for the University but for the people of Cross River State.
“We have always been brothers and I intend to continue from where our forefathers left. We shall take this relationship to another height.
“The unity of this country will not be compromised and let me urge all Nigerians to continue to remain a united and peaceful so as to have a country where love and peace will reign till eternity.”
