By Mohammed Baba Busu
Gov. Abdullahi A Sule of Nasarawa State has urged Nigerians to embrace unity and togetherness as exhibited by the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Sule made the call while receiving the Best Governor Award in Northern Nigeria at the 2nd Sir Abubakar Tafewa Balewa Colloquium im in Bauchi.
This is contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by Governor Sule’s Director General, Strategic Communication, Yakubu Lamai, who represented him at the occasion.
Gov Sule said that the award would spur him to do more toward bettering the lives of the people of Nasarawa State and Nigerians at large.
The governor described the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria, Balewa as a leader of unusual authority and a politician who had the gravitas of a true statesman.
He noted that Balewa who was killed in a military coup in 1966, lived his life without tribalism, nepotism, or religious bias and showed love to the entire people of Nigeria.
“And that Abubakar’s quest for togetherness has become a thing of concern as calls for separation sound louder.
“Balewa emphasized that Nigerians should forget all kinds of tribalism,
“Balewa said, I appeal to all my countrymen and women to cooperate with me and my colleagues to create a better understanding among our peoples, to establish mutual respect, and trust, among all our tribal groups
“And to unite in working together for the common cause, the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great, Sule quotes Balewa.
Sule urged Nigerians to continue to unite ahead of the 2023 general elections irrespective of their affiliations.
“As Nigeria prepares to celebrate 62 years of independence on October 1st, 2022 and we collectively look forward to the 2023 elections, peace and unity should be the greatest concern of all Nigerians.
“As every Nigerian must work with our fellow countrymen and women, so that we may strengthen the unity of our country above any political, religious or tribal differences,” the governor said.
In his speech, Ibrahim Salihu Maigoro, the President of Gamji Club, organizers of the Sir Abubakar Tafewa Balewa Colloquim described Sule as a model of inclusive politics.
“And a worthy governor who does not want to forget the legacy and the labour of our heroes past, to be forgotten,” he said.
He said that Gov. Sule was conferred with the award for his selfless service not only to Nasarawa State but also for his sense of patriotism and sacrifice
“In cementing the legacies of leaders of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Herbert Macaulay and the late Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,” he said.
