The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has lent his voice to the growing voices of prominent Nigerians and beyond in total condemnation of the continuous killings in Benue, Taraba and other parts of the country.
Speaking with newsmen during his 48th birthday celebration in Lagos, Adams said the present killings in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States have shown that Nigeria is seriously bleeding.
He, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to do something urgently to stop the killings.
He said: “I sympathize with our brothers and sisters in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States in the Middle Belt.
“It is unusual that we have been experiencing these unwarranted killings since 2015, particularly in the North West.
“I can understand the frustrations of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
“That was why they rose and protested against the unnecessary killings.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to President Buhari to urgently stop the killings.
“The President was at the White House recently and the United States President, Donald Trump, made some salient remarks, noting that Christians were being killed in the country.
“We don’t want religious war in this country.
“We don’t want ethnic cleansing.
“We want to live in peace and harmony so that we can be proud of this country.
“The number one duty of every reasonable government is to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.
“If the country is secured and the citizenry are protected, other things will follow.
“A situation where people are secured, the nation will thrive.
“However, these killings are highly condemnable by any right thinking person in Nigeria.”
Adams he equally said he celebrates his birthday annually to appreciate God for the gift of life, adding that the event was organized for people, including family, friends and admirers, from all over the world to wine and dine with him.
He said: “I am happy to be alive to celebrate yet another milestone in the history of my life despite all the trouble tribulations of life.
“I still count myself worthy of expressing my gratitude to God.
“The party as well as the get-together is my symbol of thanksgiving to God.
“As part of my usual programme for my birthday, I was at the Motherless Babies Home and Old Peoples’ Home yesterday to donate some items for their upkeep.
“That is my own little way of appreciating God and touching people’s lives positively.
“You can see the roll call of guests: traditional rulers, businessmen and women and members of our group, the Oodua Progressive Union, abroad and the Oodua People’s Congress, all in attendance to honour me.
‘It is a great feeling when you are being honoured and appreciated by people.
“So my appreciation goes to all my guests here present, most especially for their prayers, well wishes and gifts.”
Some of the guests present at the event were the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun; representatives of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Chief Layi Labode, representing the Alake of Egbaland; other prominent monarchs in the South West; Ambassador Wada Sodiq, Special Adviser to Gombe State governor on protocol, Dr. Adeleke Ipaye, special adviser to Osun state Governor; Prophet Samuel Kogberegbe; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; Shina Peller; Sally Mbanefo and several others.
Others groups included the executive members of Eze Ndigbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oodua Maritime and executive committee members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents.