By Abdallah el-Kurebe
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar has emphasized the need for Nigerian leaders and the traditional institution to work together in order to move the nation forward.
Speaking when General Yakubu Gowon paid him homage at his palace on Tuesday, the Sultan observed that there was no serious religious conflict during the Military administration of Gowon because the leadership then consulted with the traditional institution for positive results. Gowon was in Sokoto to inaugurate some projects executed by Wamakko administration.
Recalling when Gowon would always consult late Sultan Abubakar in particular and other traditional leaders in general in many national issues, the Sultan said that Gowon still had the responsibility of working for the peace of Nigeria.
“You still have the responsibility of working for the peace of this country. Just like during the war, you have a lot to offer to the country,” Sultan Abubakar said adding, “We must therefore all come together for the development of this country.”
He stressed the importance of prayers, especially as initiated during Nigerian civil war, adding that in the Sultanate, it still continued. “During the civil war, special prayer team was set up. That prayer sessions have not stopped. It is still going on for the peace of this country.”
Earlier, Gowon recalled the part played by late Sultan Abubakar in keeping the country united. “I remember the role late Sultan Abubakar played to keep this country one. The Sultan gave us assistance to move this country forward. In 1974, the Sultan assisted us tremendously, especially in education,” Gowon said.
In a related development, the Sultan called for the allocation of more money to state governments in order to enable them execute projects that would benefit the people.
He made the call at the inauguration by Gowon, of NYSC permanent orientation camp built at the cost N1.2 billion in Wamakko local government of the state.
According to the Sultan, “As it is now, a lion share of the money from the Federation Account is being allocated to the centre and this is unbecoming.
More money should be given to the states to enable them execute more developmental projects in order to improve the living standard of Nigerians.”
Gowon on his part said that in the history of the scheme, the project was the first of its kind executed by any state government since 1973.
“The scheme has assisted in keeping Nigeria one and united, and the task of ensuring the sustenance of this feat is a collective one by all Nigerians,” he added.
Governor Aliyu Wamakko maintained that Nigerians should continue to preach the ideals of peace and unity.
