Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, yesterday, said the 62nd Independence anniversary of Nigeria would have been more meaningful if the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had reached a truce to end the industrial action in public universities.

The monarch, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, urged Federal Government and ASUU to, as a matter of urgency, find amicable solutions to disruptions to the academic calendars of public universities.

The oba, however, added: “The Independence celebration may not offer much pageantry to some citizens, but the mere fact that the nation has remained one indivisible sovereignty, despite daunting challenges, deserves a compliment.”

He noted that the resilience of some Nigerians might have made the nation proud and those, who paid the supreme sacrifice for Nigeria’s survival since independence from Britain, deserve mention.

The Benin monarch said he was also optimistic that Nigeria would surmount her current travails and emerge victorious through prayers and hard work, irrespective of the economic hardship, insecurity, conflicts, and endless agitations.

He advised contemporary leaders to always aspire to make an impact through leadership skills, especially with a sense of responsibility and patriotism by citizens for the nation to truly attain its status as the giant of Africa both in practice and principle.

Commenting on the forthcoming general elections, the oba advised Nigerians to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver credible, free and fair elections in 2023.

“Political actors, especially those in governments and other stakeholders, should play by the rules. Eligible voters should shun vote-buying to deepen our democratic values.

“Nigerians should unite against our common enemies that have hindered the progress of the nation by denouncing evil, poverty, unemployment, corruption, crime, insurgency and economic sabotage, particularly oil theft and double-standard in the application of the law of the land,” the revered Benin monarch re-echoed on the occasion of the 62nd Independence anniversary of Nigeria.”