Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Thursday in Abeokuta called on the various ethnic nationalities to close ranks in the interest of the country’s corporate existence.
Amosun said the various ethnic nationalities should interface and dialogue with one another in order to move the nation forward.
The governor gave the advice when a delegation of the Northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, paid him a visit.
Amosun, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Media, Funmi Wakama, said, “We should strive to live together in peace and harmony, irrespective of tribe and religion. There is no religion in the world that preaches violence.”
He however identified poverty as a major source of agitation and violence among the people, noting that, “as government, we should be able to provide basic amenities for our people in order to reduce violence and crises in the country.”
Earlier, Mohammed, said the ACF leadership was in the state to dialogue with the Yoruba Unity Forum on how best to move the country forward.
He said the group was convinced that sister socio-cultural organisations like the Yoruba Unity Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-South Peoples Assembly and others should interact with one another for the purposes of building bridges and breaking down barriers standing in the way of better understanding among Nigerians.
The ACF chairman identified endemic poverty, illiteracy, diseases and unemployment as some of the challenges Nigeria had to overcome.
He said the ACF delegation would discuss some of the issues at length with their compatriots in the YUF and “see how we all can do our part and help move our country on the path of peace, unity and progress.”