(ii) IGBINEDION ON CHIEFTAINCY TITLE AND NATIONAL UNITY

It has been mentioned that Chief Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom was conferred with the title of Ngwang Tarok by His Royal Highness, the Ponzhi Tarok, Plateau State on 6th February 1988. The following is the speech delivered on the occasion by the title recipient and the philosophical content of the address:

"The significance of this title is that I have now the responsibility of being the pillar, support and protector of TarQk land in Langtang Local Government Area of Plateau State. This responsibility is, no doubt, onerous, but I am confident that with the help of God Almighty, the support of the good people of Tarokland, I will not disappoint you. Incidentally, the role which I have been

called upon, by my present appointment, to perform is in consonance with my philosophy of life. For I see it as my life ambition to enhance the dignity of man.

Let me at this juncture, pledge my unalloyed loyalty to His Royal Highness, the Ponzhi Tarok. In doing so, I should hasten to assure your Highness, your Council of Chiefs and the people of Tarok, that, although, as the ESAMA OF BENIN KINGDOM, my functions are demanding, I will live up to expectation in my other capacity as the Ngwang Tarok and uphold the high ideals associated with my chieftaincy title. I have since discovered to my delight that the customs of the people of Langtang are, in many respects, very similar to those of the Binis. I will therefore have no difficulty whatsoever in interacting with the people of Tarok land inspite of the physical distance between us.

Your Highness, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, one of the greatest challenges of our time is the welding together of the diverse communities of which this country is composed, into a virile nation. By appointing me, an Edo from the Kingdom of Benin, to the high office of Ngwang Tarok of Langtang in the heartland of Plateau State, the Ponzhi Tarok has shown by example, some of the things we should do to promote the unity of the country. I call upon all Nigerians to follow this example and explore all possible avenues for the forging of a united and strong Nigeria."

The relevance of the occasion is not as much in the conferment of the chieftaincy title as it is a symbol of national traditional unity. As usual, Chief Igbinedion's concern for the less privileged was exhibited when he said" ...the role which I have been called upon, by my present appointment, to perform is in consonance with my philosophy of life. For I see it as my life ambition to enhance the dignity of man."

Moreover, the conferment of chieftaincy title enhances unity both at the level of the people of Benin and Langtang and at the national level; a point noted by Chief Igbinedion when he observed that "one of the greatest challenges of our time is the welding together of the diverse communities of which this country is composed, into a virile nation. By appointing me an Edo from the Kingdom of Benin, to the high office of Ngwang Tarok of Langtang in the heartland of Plateau State, the Ponzhi Tarok has shown by example, some of the things we should do to promote the unity of the country."

Chief Igbinedion's philosophy on and solution to national economy through the development of the rural areas and his approach to national unity through his promotion of and regard for traditional values have been aptly shown in his speeches reproduced in part above.

(i) IGBINEION ON THE CONCEPT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR

(ii) IGBINEDION ON CHIEFTAINCY TITLE AND NATIONAL UNITY

(iii) IGBINEDION - OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

(iv) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND THE DIASPORA

(v) IGBINEDION ON NIGERIA AND CHRISTIANITY

(vi) IGBINEDION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

(vii) IGBINEDION ON LIVING TO WIN IN LIFE AND BUSINESS

CONCLUSION

This website has attempted to unfold Chief Osawaru Igbinedion from the cradle to manhood and from a humble beginning to a position of enermous affluence...READ ON