Mrs Jonathan urges traditional rulers to educate youths on peace

The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan on Monday in Abuja called on traditional rulers to appeal to youths in their domains to be patriotic and embrace peace.

Mrs Jonathan made the call when 12 traditional rulers from the South-South zone paid her a condolence visit to commiserate with the first family on the death of Chief Meni Jonathan.

Meni is the junior brother of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The first lady said that the involvement of traditional rulers in peace efforts was important as no meaningful development could take place in their areas in the absence of peace.

``As custodians of our tradition and powerful opinion leaders, you have the responsibility of educating the people, particularly our children and youths in your different domains on the need to embrace peace and be patriotic.

``This is because no meaningful development can take place in the absence of peace. Our children and youths are the leaders of tomorrow.

``They should be advised not to engage in any action that will cut them down in their prime, without fulfilling what God has destined for them on earth.

``I therefore want to use this opportunity to appeal to you, our royal fathers, to use your good offices to continue to preach peace and tolerance in your domains in particular and the nation in general,’’ she said.

Jonathan expressed sympathy with the traditional rulers and Nigerians over the loss of lives and properties caused by the recent flood disaster in their various communities and across the country.

The leader of the delegation and Chairman, South-South Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Edmund Daukoru, said that he and his colleagues paid the visit to condole with the first family over the death of Chief Meni Jonathan.

``The monarchs came to pay their condolence visit to the first family over the death of Chief Meni Jonathan.

``His life was cut short in his prime but we believe that God knows the best.

``We are also here to commend you for the crucial roles you are playing in governance and to identify with some of your interests which include, peace and security, HIV and AIDS, safe motherhood, among others,’’ Daukoru, who is  the traditional ruler of Nembe in Bayelsa said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 12 royal fathers came from Edo, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa states. (NAN)