Nigerians Should Imbibe Dialogue, Says Ooni

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged every Nigerian, including government leaders, to learn to accept dialogue and compromise as veritable means of resolving disputes in the country.

He blamed the deficiencies in our system as the main causes of the rising wave of agitations in the country.

The traditional ruler who has been in the vanguard of the empowerment of young ones said anger behind such groups as the Niger Delta Advengers and Movement for actualisation of the Sovereign of Biafra are borne out of the failure of the existing system to cater for their well-being.

Speaking at a conference organised by the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) tagged ‘the youth diversity conference 2016,’ Oba Enitan said it is high time Nigerians realised that the strength of the nation is in her youths and in the diversity of her peoples culture.

The traditional ruler said, “It is frustration that has led them (youths) to do what they are doing. They cannot fish in their water, they cannot farm on their land, yet nearby people are taking billions from oil. The people are peaceful people.

“We need to appease to them. Its difficult to build but its very easy to destroy. Look at the history of Nigeria politically and economically, its been very peaceful, the people of the South-south have been very peaceful.

“Look at the people of the South-east of this country; very wonderful people. We know they can not stay in one place, they are driven by commerce, they are driven by activities moving all over the country, you found them everywhere and that is one of their greatest strength.”

Ooni decried the high level of blame game going on in the country, saying “if we continue to deceive ourselves that help will come from Europe or China, we are deceiving ourselves. Our help is with us already, the youths are the solution to our challenges. Let us talkless of our challenges but emphasis on our strengths.”

FURTHER DETAILS LATER