Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigeria needs more bridge builders across ethnic and religious divides to unite Nigeria to overcome its challenges.
He disclosed this Saturday in Bida, Niger State, while speaking as a special guest at the turbanning ceremony of the member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Sa’idu Musa Abdullahi.
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The lawmaker was turbanned as first Gwarzon Nupe by Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar alongside three others who were also conferred with traditional titles.
He congratulated the lawmaker and the three others saying, Nigeria is facing challenges which needs unity of purpose from all citizens and should be championed by people who believe in the country’s unity.
He said, “Our country needs not just achievers, but more importantly, bridge builders and unifiers; men, who see our ethnic diversity not as a point of difference but as a source of strength. Men and women who understand that all men and women, regardless of race or religion, deserve to be treated equally, fairly and justly.”
In a welcome address, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, commended the federal government for the various road projects awarded in Niger State.
He said the emirate is happy with the gesture as it will reduce the hardship being faced by his people in their daily lives as a result of bad roads.
He announced the conferment of the traditional title of Garkuwan Yamman Nupe (The Shield of Nupe Western Flanks) on the Vice President which he said will be turbanned at the appropriate time.
On his part, the representative of the Speaker, Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, said the honour bestowed on the member of the House is an honour to the whole House.
Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, commended the federal government for its efforts in tackling banditry in the state as well as addressing road infrastructural challenge by awarding various roads contracts traversing the state.
While speaking to journalists, the member who was turbaned as Gwarzon Nupe, Sa’idu Musa Abdullahi, said the traditional title bestowed on him by the Etsu was a challenge for him to continue doing more for his people.
