Kogi Governor promises to keep Igbos safe

The Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello has promised to keep the Igbo residents in his state safe amid recent troubling events.

The governor was reacting to Tuesday’s ultimatum that was issued by a coalition of Northern youths, threatening Igbo residents in the region to leave before October 1, 2017.

The governor expressed his feelings on the controversial subject through his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, assuring solidarity with the Igbo community in his state.

"As a nation, our strength has always been embedded in our unity in diversity. Nigeria is home to all and we must continue to see ourselves as brothers and sisters in a united nation.

"Ethnic segregation is unacceptable to humanity and we must continue to wax stronger and unbroken as a nation. The God that created Nigeria is a God who believes in the strength of unity.

"The Kogi State Government under the leadership of Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to assure all Igbos that they are not only safe in the state, but that the administration will continue to consider Igbos resident in the state as partners in the New Direction Agenda of the government.

"Igbos should go about the legitimate businesses in the state as they continue to contribute to our economy as a state and a people.

"With the appointment of Igbos into strategic positions in Kogi State, we are making a strong case for social integration in Nigeria.

"Let me once more salute the courage and nationalism of the Kaduna State Governor who has shown with his recent actions that Kaduna will remain the home of all nationalities."

The governor also called out fellow Northern leaders to rise to the occasion and ensure the safety of everyone under their care so as to foster unity between everyone.

"As we strive to move out of the economic recession in Nigeria, bloodbaths would only compound the situation. We are the same before God and we should always play up the factors that unite us. We can only be strong when we are united."

The governor also asked that Nigerians keep praying for the President Muhammadu Buhari who has been away in London on medical leave since last month.

"President Buhari has sacrificed a lot to ensure we remain a respected nation in the comity of nations.

"Nigerians should pray for his full recovery as he is determined to tame corruption and drive the nation toward prosperity, responsibility and respectability."