Imoke Eulogizes Sultan Of Sokoto

PHOTO: CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNOR, SENATOR LIYEL IMOKE RECEIVING THE SULTAN OF SOKOTO, ALHAJI DR MUHAMAD SA'AD ABUBAKAR III IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE CALABAR.

CALABAR, July 17, (THEWILL) - Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has described the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji (Dr.) Muhamad Sa’ad Abubakar III as a man Nigerians hold in high esteem for his truthfulness and for being a leader that is interested in the unity of Nigeria.

While receiving the Sultan during a courtesy call as a prelude to the opening of the Community and Youth Development (CYD) Second Unity Conference for the South-South/South East Muslim Ummah in Calabar, Imoke said he is a gentle man whom God has placed as a religious head not just to the Muslims but to the greater Nigeria as a country and prayed God should guide him to lead the people aright while exercising his duties, assuring that the State will be unrelenting in providing good governance and leadership to the people.

Imoke remarked that though Cross River is referred to as the least among Niger Delta States in terms of finances, it strives to live within its means to serve the people that need government most. Service he said is the focus of the administration. Imoke stressed that the conference in Calabar would impact on Cross Riverians because the State is a multi lingual society with a large number of its citizens as Muslims.

The Governor disclosed that the state enjoys an excellent relationship among various tribes as religion is separated from government, adding that as the Sultan speaks, more and more Nigerians listen to him and learn from his comments and the more they understand him, the more united and enlightened the people will be.

He hoped deliberations at the conference would be successful and beneficial not only to Muslims but to the greater Nigerian society.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji (Dr.) Muhamad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who described Imoke as a long standing friend, disclosed that he was in the state for two reasons, one as a guest of Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, and two to attend the conference of the Muslim Ummah, adding that there is need for all Nigerians to speak in one voice for the country to ensure unity, stability and development.

He said though he holds dual capacity as a traditional and religious leader, he solicited for a cordial relationship among traditional rulers to strengthen the bond of nationhood as well as ensure God’s blessing and development, adding that they should also work for the development of the country to achieve relative peace and equity which they are determined to uphold.

The traditional ruler advised Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs, that while upholding the tenets of their religion and identity, they should be peace loving and work for the survival and peace of the country.