By Gurara Correspondent
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has called for peace, unity and collective action as essential foundations for sustainable development, urging communities across Nigeria to embrace cooperation for shared prosperity.
General Musa made the call on Saturday while serving as Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Iyamoye Day celebration in Iyamoye Kingdom, Kogi State.
The celebration, organised by the Iyamoye Development Union (IDU), was held under the theme, “Mobilising Our Collective Strength for Growth, Progress and a Prosperous Future.”
The Minister commended the development union, traditional rulers and residents for sustaining the annual cultural festival, noting that meaningful community development requires shared responsibility among government institutions, traditional authorities and citizens.
He stressed that peace and mutual understanding were indispensable to sustainable progress, adding that youth empowerment remained critical to national development.
“No community can achieve sustainable progress without an atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding,” Musa stated.
He urged stakeholders to create more opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills, become productive and contribute meaningfully to society.
Highlighting Iyamoye’s motto, “In Oneness We Stand,” the Defence Minister applauded the community’s investments in education, skills acquisition and infrastructure development.
He also called on the sons and daughters of Iyamoye to sustain unity, promote peaceful coexistence and support their traditional institution.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation and contributions to community development, the traditional institution and people of Iyamoye Kingdom conferred on the Minister the prestigious chieftaincy title of Akinjagunla of Iyamoye Kingdom.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, General Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting peace and security across the country, stressing that a peaceful environment was necessary for local economies, cultural heritage and sustainable development to flourish.
