Former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan has tasked traditional rulers to ensure peace in their domains.
Jonathan gave the advice on Tuesday during the official presentation of Staff of Office to the monarch of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro Gbaraun 11 Aketekpe, Agadagba, Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The ceremony was performed in Oporoza, the administrative headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the king who is the 26th Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom ascended the Royal Stool on March 15, 2016.
The former president said that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour.
”There cannot be development without peace so it is the duty of the traditional rulers to ensure that peace reigns in their communities,” he said.
Jonathan said that he was quite impressed with the level of peace in Gbaramatu despite the perception outside that the kingdom is volatile and unsafe.
”Today we are all happy, the way we hear of Niger Delta and indeed Gbaramatu, you may think that people cannot gather together here peacefully,” he said.
Jonathan urged the people to support the new monarch to enable him have a successful reign.
Also speaking the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa said there was no alternative to peace.
He expressed joy at the different ethnic nationalities present at the ceremony saying that his government was committed to entrenching unity among the diverse ethnicities.
The governor also urged the people to only agitate in a constructive manner by way of embracing dialogue.
He said that his administration was committed to developing the riverine communities.
”It is time to start embracing peace. We need to stay together to move forward as a state and as a people.
”We need to start showing our presence in the creek and the only way we can do that is for people to create the right atmosphere to generate resources.
”If after two years you do not begin to see changes, you can hold us responsible,” he said.
The monarch, Oboro Gbaraun 11 said he would build bridges of understanding with all the neighbouring ethnic nationalities to engender oneness.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of staff of office to the king as well as a boat regatta by various Ijaw communities in the kingdom.
Mr Kingsley Otuaro, Delta Deputy Governor, Mr Monday Igbuya Speaker, Delta House of Assembly attended the ceremony.
Others were: traditional rulers from Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw nations, members of the National and Delta House of Assembly, Commissioners, Clergymen and representatives of US Consulate among others. (NAN)