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| Oba Hammed Oyelude Makama |
The Olowu of Kuta kingdom in Osun State, Oba Hammed Oyelude Makama, has said that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.
Oba Makama re-echoed this during an inter denominational thanksgiving in honour of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who is now a non-career Ambassador.
Muslim and Christian clerics, including the Chief Imam Kuta, Alhaji Abdul Akeem Soliu Oloyin, and Venerable Michael Dadamu, prayed for Buratai to succeed in his news assignment.
Oba Makama said as a Chief of Army Staff, Buratai served the nation well, especially in the wake of insurgency and banditry was among other factors that made the nation to continue to remain United.
Oba Makama said his support for the military was a factor of national interest and unity of the country.
“My support for the military is purely on national interest and ingenuity of Buratai. With this interdenominational thanksgiving in honour of Buratai, we are promoting loyalty in friendship.
“Buratai is a highly detribalized Nigeria. He is a friend like no other, you don’t need to come from the same home or section or tribe before you can be friends.”
The monarch said Kuta and its neighbouring communities will continue to honour Buratai for his contributions to the development in the area, particularly the construction of bailey bridge which connects many communities in the area.
“Kuta and Buratai family, we strike a cord that we cannot break. We are still thinking of what we can do in this community to immortalize him apart from naming the bailey bridge built in Kuta kingdom. We are not a friend of his office, we are friends for life”.
He praised President Muhammed Buhari for reposing his trust and confidence in the ability of Buratai which led to his nomination and confirmation as an Ambassador.
“Being the longest Chief of army staff to have served the country, anywhere Buratai is posted to as an ambassador, he’s going to be a tremendous advantage for the country and we are going to see a great improvement in the diplomatic relations of the country”.
Oba Makama however promised that he would continue to extend his support to the current Chief of Army Staff.
Representative of the former Chief of Army staff at the ceremony, Major Banjo Daniel, described Buratai as detribalised and patriotic Nigerian who sacrificed his strength and experience for the unity of Nigeria.
He said Nigerians should expect more from Buratai in his current diplomatic assignment.
“Both buratai and Olowu share a divine connection. One thing that connects them is their freedom and pure mind. Buratai is a man that every one should love. He’s so humane that he doesn’t turn down any request from him” Major Daniel.
The Federal lawmaker representing Iwo, Ayedire and Olaoluwa, Hon. Yinusa Amobi, acknowledged the economic importance of the bailey bridge constructed in the area by the army under Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.
Hon. Amobi, who went down the memory lane on the unsuccessful efforts made by different stakeholders at ensuring that the bridge was built in the past, said history would never forget the hands of fellowship extended to the community by the Nigerian Army.
He thanked Oba Makama for leveraging on his connection to assist Kuta, other neighboring communities, Osun State and the nation at large.
The event was graced by the Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Rasak Adeosun, traditional rulers, one of Buratai’s course mates, Commander Maman Yusuf, and Kuta traditional chiefs.
Others were members of a political group known as Oye for Osun led by their founder, Alhaja Folake Olaniyan and the Coordinator, Prince Kayode Babaranti among other important personalities.