Alexander Okere, Benin
A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu
Gowon (retd.), on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, His
Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, at his palace in Benin, Edo State.
Gowon, who was accompanied by a delegation, was received by the Oba and several palace chiefs at about 3pm.
While welcoming him to Benin, Oba Ewuare
II commended the former head of state for his “gentle military style”
and his contributions towards the unity of the country.
The monarch, who informed the former
military leader that the post-coronation activities were still ongoing,
said that Gowon is a statesman who is always welcome at the palace.
He assured him that the palace and the Bini people would always pray for the country and promote national unity.
Gowon said, ”I wish him (Oba) all the
very best and wish him a joyful and successful reign for the good of the
people, not only of his kingdom, but of the whole of the state and, of
course, Nigeria, as his predecessors have done.
“I know his father; he was very close to
me. And, therefore, I wish that his reign would be as successful as his
reign and wish him well for the good of all of us.”
He also noted that he had been in the
state since Friday to pray for the South-South region and the entire
country through the ‘Nigeria Prays’ initiative.
Gowon said that God had solved many of
the challenges facing the country through prayer and urged Nigerians not
to relent in making their contributions through prayer.
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