*his wife, Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Kano State Governor, Malam Abdullahi Ganduje on Saturday, asked Nigerians to continuously promote national integration towards engendering a united Nigeria.
The governor made the call in Ibadan at the installation of him and his wife, Prof. Hafsat Ganduje as Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
Governor Ganduje pointed out that the time has come for Nigerians to collectively encourage and promote national integration toward achieving national unity.
” You made history today in terms of promoting national integration. This is a topical and very important issue we must always discuss as well as promote to achieve peaceful coexistence among Nigerians,” he said.
The governor while recalling the age-long friendship between Kano and Ibadan, stressed that the two old cities would sustain the friendship and extend to other parts of the country.
“We are grateful to the Olubadan, Olubadan-n-Council and Ibadan people for honouring us with this prestigious titles. This gives us motivation and encouragement to do more in promoting unity.”
He however, commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for gracing the chieftaincy occasion.
The governor expressed confidence that Asiwaju Tinubu if elected as the next President of Nigeria would promote the concept of national integration.
Speaking, the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu tasked Nigerians to always promote national unity as such would engender national growth and development.
Asiwaju Tinubu pointed out that giving out such chieftaincy title to a non-indigene was a rare privilege and that the honour bestowed on Governor Ganduje and his wife was well deserved
Describing the Chieftaincy titled as a demonstration of unity between the North and South, Asiwaju Tinubu lauded the Olubadan and Ibadan indigenes for honouring his friend with a chieftaincy title.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Lekan Balogun, described Governor Ganduje and his wife as detribalised Nigerians and that the honour was well deserved.
“We were made to know how supportive our guests were to the aspiration and eventual emergence of our brother as Oba Yoruba Kano about two years ago. We recall how Ganduje came down to Ibadan when there was a clash between Hausa traders and the people of Sasa at Sasa Market to calm the frayed nerves and peace was restored.”
The Olubadan maintained that the conferment of the titles would further cement the bond of friendship that had long existed between the Ibadan and Kano people, saying, it would go a long way in maintaining handshake across the Niger and engender the much sought-after unity which has turned fragile over the years.
“The Gandujes, being our in-laws in Ibadan through their daughter that got married to our son, Idris Ajimobi have done it all. Bestowing a befitting Chieftaincy title on the hardworking and amiable governor with his wife will be a reward for a man who has been compassionate to us as a people. And who believes that any Nigerian can stay and work in any part of the country without molestation or denial of basic things of life,”
