By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY — THE Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Osayuki Oshodin, yesterday, called on the ethnic groups in Nigeria to use the centenary celebration of Oba Ovonramwen to unite the country.

Professor Oshodin, at a colloquium at the one week centenary celebration of Oba Ovonramwen in Benin City, which is being sponsored by Chief Solomon Edebiri Foundation, expressed joy that the country’s centenary coincided with that of Oba Ovonramwen, stressing the need to end bloodshed and actions capable of destabilising the nation, so that Nigeria will continue to enjoy peace and unity.

Represented by Professor Edosa Omozuwa, he noted that there would be disagreement among the ethnic groups, but that Nigerians should reflect on the events that led to the amalgamation and how people like Oba Ovonramwen exhibited bravery while battling the British, adding “if we take example from people like Oba Ovonranwem in terms of patriotism, Nigeria will be a better place for all of us.

“Who says we cannot disagree on the basis of principles. Nevertheless, we must strive at all times to find a common ground to agree, so that we can collectively defend and uphold the unity of this country.”

He said that the celebration of Ovonramwen’s centenary was not only an honour to the dead. “It is also an honour to us as a people of Benin kingdom. The celebration of Ovonramwen constitutes a major component of the history of Benin kingdom. The celebration is also apt as it would exposed many of us to the history we previously had not known about the late monarch as well as the history of this great kingdom.”

He added that the initiator of the project, Chief Edebiri is a blessing to the people of the kingdom.