By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting peace and security across Nigeria, describing stability as a necessary condition for sustainable development, economic growth and national prosperity.
Musa gave the assurance at the 2026 Iyamoye Day celebration in Iyamoye Kingdom, Kogi State, where he was honoured with the traditional chieftaincy title of Akinjagunla of Iyamoye Kingdom in recognition of his service to the nation and support for community development.
The celebration, held under the theme, “Mobilising Our Collective Strength for Growth, Progress and a Prosperous Future,” brought together traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to celebrate the kingdom’s heritage and discuss strategies for collective development.
Addressing the gathering as Special Guest of Honour, the Defence Minister emphasised that peace, unity and collective responsibility remained essential to building prosperous communities and achieving sustainable national development.
He noted that government institutions, traditional authorities and citizens must work together to create an enabling environment for development, stressing that no community could make meaningful progress without peace and mutual understanding.
“No community can achieve sustainable progress without an atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding,” Musa said.
He also highlighted youth empowerment as a major priority for national development, urging stakeholders to create opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills, become productive and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Minister commended the Iyamoye Development Union, traditional leaders and residents for sustaining the annual cultural celebration, describing their collective efforts as important to preserving the community’s identity and advancing its development aspirations.
He further applauded ongoing community-led investments in education, skills acquisition and infrastructure, urging the people to remain united and support their traditional institutions.
Musa particularly drew attention to the community’s motto, “In Oneness We Stand,” calling on sons and daughters of Iyamoye to sustain the spirit of togetherness in pursuit of shared prosperity.
While expressing gratitude for the chieftaincy honour, the Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to sustain peace across the country’s regions, noting that a secure environment would enable local economies to flourish and cultural heritage to thrive.
He said the recognition would further strengthen the importance of collective efforts towards peace, unity and development at the grassroots.
The conferment of the Akinjagunla of Iyamoye Kingdom title added a major highlight to the 2026 celebration, which focused on mobilising community strength and promoting a shared vision for growth and prosperity.
