Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
The non-indigenous communities in Osun state have restated their commitment to engendering the pace of security and peace in the state.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola was equally commended for the maintaining the atmosphere of peace that characterises the State.
The non-indigenous communities including the Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Igede, Ebira, Tivs and Igala revealed this during an engagement meeting with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Speaking at the event, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, High Chief John Nkemka said Osun was one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where all and sundry live in harmony devoid of tension and apprehension.
“The administration of Oyetola deserves a kudos for his preventive measures with which he is sustaining the state peaceful coexistence through constant engagements with all the social strata without any form of prejudicial treatment.
“While the government is taking frantic efforts in ensuring a tranquil atmosphere in the state, we must all see the function of maintaining peace and orderliness as a collective responsibility,” he added.
Equally speaking, the Chairman, Council of Arewa, Alh. Lawal Gomina appreciated Oyetola for the manner and approach with which he embraces all the non-indigenes in the state, saying the governor is a detribalised leader who eschews all forms of ethnic chauvinism.
The leader of Hausa community then appealed to all the residents and especially other non-indigenes to cooperate with Oyetola’s administration in sustaining the peaceful status of the state.
In his corroborative remarks, the Chairman Tivs Community, Chief Zaki Augustine commended the current administration for its strategic approach of managing ethnic issue which has made Osun to be an haven of peace for them as a community, while pleading with all non-indigenous community leaders to have absolute control over their subjects and consider issue of security as a collective efforts.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman Fulani community, Alh. Ibrahim Dende, President Ebira community, Mallam Shuaib Abere and Chairman Igede community, Chief Mathias Ogah threw their weight behind Oyetola’s administration in maintaining the serene and tranquil coexistence which have characterized their habitation in the state having commended the governor’s dynamic leadership.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser appreciated the supportive gesture of all the non-indigenous communities which has been one of the reasons why Osun is among the most people states in the federation.
Oyintiloye noted that the constant engagement with the non-indigenes as a resolve of Governor Oyetola is not only a way of making them a critical stakeholders, in the state governance but also a means to sustain peaceful coexistence.
He, however, entreated them to synergize with other residents in the state with a view to nipping issues of security at the bud, saying the state would not tolerate any dastardly act which could tamper with the state peace on the part of anyone irrespective of tribe, religion or any other social status.