Leadership (Abuja)
Joseph Wantu
6 January 2009
Makurdi — Prominent indigenes of Vandeikya local government area of Benue State have pledged to foster unity, peace and development in the area as they entered into the new year.
They made the pledge at a new year eve meeting held at the country home of Mr. Joe Ikyaagba, a former commissioner of Works and Housing, near Tsar.
Those who spoke included council chairman, Mr. Benjamin Dowgo, the second class traditional ruler in the area, Chief Dyako Atser, PDP local government chairman, Mr. Bemgba Chia, and the former commissioner, Mr. Ikyaagba.
The council chairman, Mr. Dowgo, in his speech, stated that one of his priorities is the promotion of the unity of the people as he said without the unity of its indigenes, development would continue to elude the area.
The chairman appealed to indigenes to refrain from running down one another, pointing out that the practice had robbed the local government of leaders who would have been utilised at the state and federal levels.
Vandeikya local government PDP Chairman, Mr. Bemgba Chia, stated that the party would always consult with traditional rulers on all issues in order to enable its leadership to provide the right direction to the people.
He explained that the convening of the meeting to seek the blessings of traditional rulers and that of a former National Party of Nigeria chieftain, Chief Fegha Kpo Nyam, was in line with the resolve.
Ter Kunav, Chief Dyako Atser, stated that the traditional institution in the area would support the party leadership in the promotion of unity and development.
He advised leaders of the party to always abide by truth, fairness and principle of "live and let live" in choosing candidates for elective positions.
In his comments, Ikyaagba stated that the new move to consult with elders and the traditional institution was an initiative of Governor Gabriel Suswam which is aimed at involving the two segments in decision making.
Ikyaagba commended the governor for his efforts in restoring confidence in the polity through the fulfillment of campaign promises as well as his respect for traditional rulers and elders, adding that the strategy would ensure unity among the people and lead to faster development as crucial inputs would easily be tapped.
The climax of the occasion was the symbolic transfer of party leadership baton from Chief Nyam to Mr. Chia.
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