Former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Professor Claudius Daramola has emphasised that tolerance, understanding and sense of patriotism were key to preserving Nigeria’s Unity and development which are currently threatened by ethnic suspicion and agitation.

Addressing newsmen during the re-validation of his membership of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ode -Aye in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state, the former minister also threw his weight behind the various security outfits set up by the geo- political zones across the country which he believed would help address the spate of insecurity facing the nation.

Professor Daramola who noted that the security outfit for southwest codenamed Amotekun was a good development to check the level of insecurity currently facing the region, appealed that the initiative should not be given ethnic perception.

He pointed out that Nigerians of various ethnic background had domiciled in other parts other than their places of origin for more than five decades, without any issue with the natives of those places, cautioning that event of the present days require deeper reflection.

The former Niger Delta Minister who argued that most countries of the world were made up of heterogeneous people, reminded leaders of governments and various institutions in the country that the unity of the nation rest largely on the them, adding that they need to take proactive steps in preserving its sanctity .

He commended the APC governors for the leadership roles they played in ensuring peaceful coexistence in the country in the heat of insecurity challenges facing the nation.
The former Minister congratulated Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his developmental agenda programme in the state and his inauguration into second term in office.
He said he had not retired from active politics as insinuated in some quarters but only took time off to rest but fully back to play active roles in Politics.

Adenitan Akinola