By Richard Thomas
The Ezendigbo in Oyo State, His Royal Highness, Dr Alex Anozie has admonished Igbos in the state to be law abiding and live peacefully among other ethnic groups in the state and nation, in order to promote national development in accordance to the law of God.
The Ezendigbo gave the admonition in a chat with Oodua News in Ibadan while speaking on the state of the nation, saying only peaceful coexistence, justice, unity love and fear of God can move the state and the nation to greater heights.
Dr. Anozie who was democratically elected 26 years ago as leader of the Igbos in the state urged them to remain peacful and law abiding people which they know them for in the state and in the country.
According to him, God has given Nigeria a beautiful nation, but the problem facing the country which has to do with lack of trust, tribalism and others had undermined our progress, adding that the people are not sincere to one another, hence, reason for the agitation and call for disintegration.
“God has given us a beautiful nation but some of the issues we are having is lack of trust and love for one another. The nation would have been so beautiful if we are truly united and sincere to one another and truly love the country. That is why we are having agitations and some people say they want to stay alone, and if you look into their reasons, you may not blame them.”
The monarch who attributed the backwardness of the country to bad leadership said Nigeria ought to be one of the best nations in the world going by the huge human and natural resources the nation is endowed with.
He recalled that God has used him to avert some crises that could have engulfed the state on different occasions.
“If Nigerians are truly united, the country would have been a beautiful place to be, we often bring religious and ethnic sentiments into our activities and life, a development which often result to unrest and anarchy.
“My first choice is that we stay united, peaceful with justice, truth, fear of God as our foundation. But in a situation where we still continue do things the same way, things will remain as they are.
“There is absolute lack of trust among the people, there is killings, crimes, unrest and many other social vices every where, and one might be tempted to say what happened to peace in the country.”
The Ezendigbo said his leadership of love for his people endeared him to their hearts, saying, the reason God vindicated him when some people took him to court over his position and office.
Dr Anozie who is the President of Non Indigenes Traditional Rulers Council in Oyo State said the nation cannot move forward without having good leadership in place.
He said if Nigeria is lucky to get good leadership approved by the people, everything will change and the nation will bounce back to its prime position.
“My people gave me their full support, reason I got to this position by their approval, that is the kind of leadership that can make things work in the nation.
The monarch commended the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his hospitality for non Indigenes in the state, describing his gestures as a welcome development.
“We thank him for accomodating our people in his government, this gestures of the governor is highly commendable, and we assure him of peaceful coexistence from our people in the state.
While expressing his gratitude to host Yorubas in the state for their warm reception, Dr Anozie said: “We all feel very much at home here in the state, and this is the kind of things I want to see in Nigeria, where the Yoruba and non Indigenes live in peace and harmony. That is the kind of Nigeria we are praying for.
