The Imo State Traditional Council has honoured President Muhammadu Buhari with a traditional title, “Nwanne D’namba”, meaning ‘A Brother in Diaspora.’
The ceremony held in Owerri, the state capital, was to appreciate the Nigerian leader for the love shown to the Southeast, and sustained legacy of promoting peace and harmony in the country.
President Buhari thanked Eze Imo, and Dr Emmanuel Chukwuagina Okeke, for the recognition, assuring them that he would continue to demonstrate his love for the Southeast and its citizens.
He said; “I thank you so much for this honour that I will continue to remember for the rest of my life. Thank you for getting all the senior citizens to receive us.
“We have experienced difficult times as a country and discovered that it is better to carry on together.”
President Buhari noted the value of a shared national vision that enhances cohesion, calling for more harmony across the state and national levels as “good neighbours”.
The President urged Nigerians to remain good neighbours and show themselves as good neighbours.
“God has brought us here, and the party also brought us to you,” he said.
President Buhari noted that he came to present All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu to the council and indigenes.
The Nigerian leader said he had already followed Tinubu to some states, including Nasarawa, Katsina and Sokoto and was prepared to showcase the candidate in more places.
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, said the honour was well deserved considering the historical impact of President Buhari’s administration on infrastructure in the state, with the upgrade of higher institutions, road constructions and appointments in key positions.
The Governor said the commissioning of the MCC road in the central city by the President further revealed the penchant for approving projects that would improve the livelihood of the people.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
