THE Eze Igbo Daura, Igwe Ferdinand Osunkwo, has commended Dr Orji Kalu, the newly turbaned Dan Baiwan (Blessed Gift to Humanity) Hausa of Daura for his immense contributions to nation building.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, on Wednesday in Daura, conferred the former governor of Abia and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), with the title.

According to Osunkwo, Kalu’s outstanding qualities are worthy of emulation.

In the congratulatory letter addressed to Kalu, and made available to NAN on Thursday in Abuja, Osunkwo urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.

He said: “It is not incongruous to applaud the giant strides you have recorded in the governance of Abia as governor and your unrelenting efforts for the transformation of the political arena of our great nation through the APC’s positive change mantra.

“Your enormous and laudable national interest developmental ideologies are always in the front pages of national and international newspapers as well as social media.

“ It is a clear proof that you have taken national issues to a higher pedestal where even the opposition and detractors cannot refute.

“Your democratic positive and progressives leadership inveterate in nation building for united Nigeria have also added yet another exalted royal honour as the `Dan Baiwan Hausa of Daura’ (Blessed Gift to Humanity) conferred on you by HRH Alhaji Farouk Umar, Emir of Daura.

“’I, Igwe Fredinand Osunkwo, Eze Igbo 11 Daura Emirate, the Eze cabinet members and the entire Igbo community in Katsina State, highly appreciate your venerated leadership acumen and we aspire to celebrate you in the nearest future as the President of our great indivisible country, Nigeria.”

NAN recalls that the Daura Emirate in a letter dated Aug. 9, conveyed the decision to honour the former governor.

Kalu in his acceptance letter dated Aug. 16, said that the honour would encourage him to sustain his good works.

The former governor stressed that the emir has demonstrated his passion and commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

He said: “I received with so much excitement, a letter of conferment of traditional title of Dan Baiwan Hausa on me by the Daura Emirate Council headed by Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar.

“The honour is timely and encouraging.

“I am a detribalised Nigerian. This is a good compensation for continually spreading the message of peace and unity across the nation.

“We must continue to build friendship and relationships beyond our communities.

“I was born in Aba, I had my university education in Maiduguri, and Lagos is my business base. I have workers from different ethnic groups and religions. Nigerians should see themselves as one.

” I am appreciative of the recognition of my contributions to nation building and I pledge my continued loyalty to Daura Emirate Council, Katsina State and Nigeria at large,” Kalu said. (NAN)

– Aug. 23, 2018 @ 11:35 GMT |