Aregbesola Restates Commitment to United Nigeria

Governor Rauf Aregbesola

Olufunke Lasisi

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has once again reiterated his strong conviction in the continued existence of the country as one indivisible entity.

Aregbesola made this affirmation in his remark after a two-hour drama production put up by the renowned poet and playwright, Odia Ofeimun, at the grand finale of the yearly Osun Osogbo International Festival on Friday.

The production of the play is meant to add more colours to the annual festival to showcase the culture to the international tourists, who came for the festival.

This year’s Osun festival featured an eight-day Trade, Investment and Culture conference where foreign investors met with government and local business groups on trade partnership.

Drawing a lesson from the dance drama entitled: ‘Nigeria: The Beautiful,’ the governor lamented that the country has detracted from the part envisaged by its founding fathers.

He lamented that leadership has played a critical role in the existence of Nigeria, saying the vision and dream of the founding fathers have remained elusive because of dearth of selfless leaders.
He said: “How I wish we can all agree and conform with the title of the play. Nigeria was one of the promising nations on earth after independence in 1960

“Our founding fathers dreamt of a nation great in every sense of the word. They actually laid the foundation of a great Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, one thing led to another and we are where we are today not where we are supposed to be.
“It means at some point we got it all wrong. Since then we have moved farther and farther from the dream of our founding father. “I wish, hope and pray that we shall live to see the beauty of our country; the beauty and strength in our diversity.”

He further emphasised the need for true democracy and fiscal federalism for Nigeria to quickly return to the path of growth and progress.