Prominent political leaders have called for greater unity, cooperation, and harmony between the Igbo and Yoruba in Lagos State.
They urged the two major ethnic groups to avoid pettiness and political bitterness but focus on how to form a common front. The leaders, while emphasising mutual respect, harped on the need for collaboration and understanding across ethnic lines.
The call was made recently when a socio-political group, Eminent Senators Club of Nigeria (ESC), hosted serving lawmakers of the National Assembly (NASS), political leaders of thought and captains of industry, in a banquet organised to honour politicians and federal lawmakers, Osita Izunaso, Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District.
The ceremony brought together leaders and representatives from both ethnic groups to explore the avenue for increased collaboration and mutual benefit. Political leaders in attendance included Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Musiliu Obanikoro, former Senator for Lagos Central, and Joe Igbokwe, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Izunaso, while appreciating members of the ESC for the banquet held in his honour, urged Ndigbo to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I feel great that my people in Lagos have honoured me. This gesture will spur me to do more particularly now that we have a listening President in Bola Tinubu, who is working very well with the NASS to ensure that democracy dividends get to the people. That is the quality of the President many Nigerians don’t know about.
“We want Igbos to live in peace with the people of Lagos, and we want Nigerians to feel at home in any part of Nigeria. Because as we say in our anthem, ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand’, so we want to bequeath on our children a country that has no stain,” he said.