Nnamani visits the Sultan of Sokoto
November 26, 2006

Speaking when he received in audience Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State in Sokoto, the sultan was of the opinion that after election, losers should congratulate the winner while the winner should accommodate losers.

The Sultan said: “this is the most important thing and the only way this country can develop and move forward as a developing nation”.

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar noted that God blessed the nation with both human and material resources, adding that all that was needed was for Nigerians to harness these resources and make the country a better place to live in.

He used the occasion to advise Nigerians not to allow the issue of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation come between them, pointing out that they should endeavour to come together and work for the best interest of the nation and its people.

According to him, “you did not choose where to be born, the Almighty God did, so the issue of ethnicity should not come between us, the issue of religion should not come between us, even the issue of political leanings because these are short time issues."

The Sultan, who told the Governor of his long standing relationship with the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria, having started his military career at Nsukka, described the Igbo as his best friends, adding that they are straightforward and easy to deal with.

In his words, "I have special relationship with the people of the East. I started my military career as Second Lieutenant in December 1977 at Nsukka. I cultivated friendship and found them straightforward, better to deal with, we played together, stayed together and we prayed together…”

He used the occasion to commend Governor Nnamani for his enviable landmark achievements in Enugu State since assumption of office and, wished him all the best in his future endeavours. "I wish you all the best in all your endeavours, we pray the Almighty God to continue to protect you and your people and give you that wisdom and strength….you continue to reach out to people like us down here, know that there are people who really know what you are worth, what you could do, what you should do for the country”, he said.

In his speech, Governor Nnamani told the Sultan that he was in Sokoto to pay homage to the caliphate and to congratulate him on his successful accession to the throne.

According to the Governor “I am here to pay respect to your heritage, to your ancestry… we have come here to congratulate you and to thank God for His blessings and for his guidance”.

Governor Nnamani acknowledged with delight the role of the Sultan in nation-building over the years both as a diplomat and military officer, and prayed that God should give him the strength and wisdom to continue where his forebearers and ancestors stopped.

The Governor used the occasion to condole the Sultan, and government and people of Sokoto Sgtate, for the death of Alhaji Maccido, the immediate past Sultan of Sokoto. He described it as the wish of God and commended the Sultanate and the people for the way the adversity which occurred some weeks ago was handled.

Governor Nnamani also paid a similar visit to the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, at his Shagari village and commended him for his contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the country.

In his words, “may I convey our deep respect and admiration to you for the role you have played in the polity over the years … I also thank God for keeping you healthy and strong so that you will continue to throw light and show direction and advise to the nation state.” He also condoled President Shagari over the death of his son and also on the loss of many others who departed as a result of the ill fated air crash..

Receiving the Governor in his compound, President Shagari described Governor Nnamani as a hard working Governor who has contributed immensely to the development of Enugu State through massive infrastructural development and capacity building.

According to him, “we have heard a lot about you before you came here, about the progress made in your state engineered by yourself. It is a thing of knowledge in the whole of Nigeria that in your own tenure you have done a lot for your people and that is very good example for others.”

President Shagari advised politicians to always have the interest of the people at heart and to put God first in all they do since he is their creator and master.

Governor Nnamani, who was accompanied by members of the state caucus in the National Assembly, traditional rulers and politicians, also paid similar visit to the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.