Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Ezzagu LGA of Enugu State has urged Nigerians to demonstrate love to their neighbours to foster peace and unity of the country.
Agubuzu who made the call on Friday night in Gombe while addressing the Igbo community in the state said demonstrating love was key to addressing security challenges in communities.
He stated that many Nigerians and leaders alike were quick to preach love but fail to demonstrate it in reality, hence the level of hatred that is resulting in crisis, security challenges and disunity.
“Demonstrating love is key to achieving peace and helping to foster a culture of love, empathy, and mutual respect for one another.
“We must begin to apply the principles of genuine love in our daily interactions as Nigerians and this will help us build a more peaceful country, free of conflicts and security challenges.
“If we love our neighbours as ourselves wherever we find ourselves, our country and the world will be better for us.
“If love of neighbour by us becomes infectious, other tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria will follow our example.
“The security personnel who block some roads in order to extort from or harm travellers will no longer do if they love others as themselves.
“The armed bandits who occupy other peoples’ forests and farm lands or who destroy villages and kill innocent villagers will not continue if they love their neighbours as themselves.
“You can not kill or steal from or kidnap the person you love; this is why we must not only stop at preaching love but move to the level of showing it daily,” he said.
Agubuzu while reading his address titled: Love Your Neighbour as Yourself,” urged the Igbo community in Gombe State to be hardworking and to live in peace with their host community.
He urged them to shun illegal dealings and avoid selling fake and adulterated products in the course of doing their businesses.
He commended the state government and people of Gombe State for being welcoming to all Nigerians while also acknowledging the huge contributions of the Igbo community to the economic growth and overall development of the state.
For his part, Mr Herbert Nwoye, the President General, Igbo Community Welfare Association, Gombe State commended the royal father for coming to speak to them.
Nwoye assured that his advice would be followed for the good of the Igbo community living in the state.
Our Correspondent reports that Agubuzu who is the Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere is in Gombe to perform his duty as Chancellor, as the varsity marks its third combined convocation.
The university will on Saturday be conferring on Agubuzu, the prestigious Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), in honour of his contributions to global diplomacy and traditional leadership and also for his commitment to national development and intellectual advancement.
