BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI—SECRETARY to the Delta State Government, Mr Ovuozorie Macaulay, has said the proposed national conference would further strengthen the unity and democracy in the country.

Speaking at a public lecture to mark his 53rd birthday organised by the Isoko Grassroots Movement, in Opute, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, Macaulay urged Nigerians to shun bitterness and selfish interest.

Noting that the interest of the state should be uppermost in the hearts of all Deltans, he said; “we must speak with one voice as a state and we must also speak with one voice as ethnic groups at the proposed conference. We will go nowhere when we speak with different voices as a tribe and as a state.”

He urged all the ethnic groups in the state to live in harmony with one another, adding that the strength of the state lies in the unity of all the various ethnic that make up the state.

Speaking further, he said all parts of the state were being developed and warned contractors in the state to ensure that jobs awarded to them were executed to specification and delivered on schedule.

Earlier in his address, National Chairman of IGM, Mr Sunday Elueni, said that Macaulay has been a pillar of support to the group and the Isoko nation.

He said: “Your persistent zeal, wisdom and selfless service to IGM and the Isoko nation at large has continued to be a source of inspiration and worthy of emulation by all and sundry.”