Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and other global leaders yesterday in Abuja insisted that the unity of Nigeria must remain a priority.

Speaking at the 80th birthday lecture and book launch of King Edmund Daukoru, Mingi XII, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, who revealed plan for massive gas and land reclamation development in the oil rich region, the leaders emphasized the need to leave legacies for generations ahead.

The gathering, which also saw the re-echoing of the need to develop the Niger Delta region came as stakeholders called for development of rural communities across the country, especially with electricity.

Abubakar said the unity of country as well as that of traditional institutions must remain sacrosanct. Abubakar, while laud the legacies of Daukoru said it is important to write one’s story while alive.

Ogunwusi stated that the unity of the country is critical, adding that traditional rulers must ensure that their followers take steps that would unit the country and lead to development.

“Politicians come and go but we traditional rulers remain in our kingdom, so it is our duty to encourage and maintain unity among our people. We traditional rulers should use initiatives and platforms like this to send messages to generation yet unborn that in unity we stand. Togetherness of our country is what we are seeking; different culture and tradition coming together for the betterment of our country,”Ogunwusi said.

Daukoru, while calling for the development of the Niger Delta said he has a plan that would see the development of a gas-turbine, integrated farming and fish culture.

Daukoru was a former Minister of State for Energy. He was also Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“Don’t be surprised if I come around again soon, lobbying some of you to assist in the launching of the next phase of development of my kingdom, which will encompass a gas-turbine, integrated farming and fish culture; land reclamation and large-scale reticulated water system; among others – just pushing my goodwill some more.

“I thank my former mentor and present exemplar, President (fmr) Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, for the glowing birthday wishes, full of his trademark insights and wisdom. My people of Nembe will long remember and savour your physical presence here to identify with them.

“At 80, he looks like a 60-year-old man. He is an upright and honest person who has gone round the world. We have come a long way. This gathering shows that traditional rulers in Nigeria are united. We are not politicians with difference.

“I have deep feeling of gratitude to you for sparing out time yo be here to celebrate me. This is a full hall that represents Nigerians and I hope this type of solidarity is replicated in other areas of our lives.

“There are professionals of all kinds represented here but beyond that are people united by purpose,” Daukoru said.

Executive Chairman, Economic Growth and Development Center, Prof. Magnus Kpakol, said there must be a concerted effort to develop the Niger Delta region, adding that human capital is the key to economic development.

Speaking on “Imperative of Energy Security for Accelerated Rural Development: Special Case of the Niger Delta,” he said Nigeria would only be successful if areas where major resources of the country come for is developed.