The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has called on communities across Nigeria to embrace peace, unity and collective action as essential ingredients for sustainable development.
Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence disclosed this in a Statement on Saturday October 31, 2026.
According to the Statement, Musa made the call while serving as Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Iyamoye Day celebration in Iyamoye Kingdom, Kogi State.
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 cultural heritage and development aspirations of the kingdom.
The Defence Minister stressed that sustainable development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and mutual understanding, urging communities to strengthen collaboration between government institutions, traditional authorities and citizens.
He also highlighted youth empowerment as a critical driver of national development, calling for increased opportunities for young people to acquire relevant skills, become productive and contribute meaningfully to society.
Musa commended the Iyamoye Development Union, traditional leaders and residents for sustaining the annual cultural celebration, noting that the community’s motto, “In Oneness We Stand,” reflected the importance of unity in achieving collective progress.
He also applauded community-led investments in education, skills acquisition and infrastructure, urging indigenes to sustain the initiatives and support traditional institutions.
In recognition of his service to the nation and contributions to community development, the Minister was conferred with the traditional chieftaincy title of Akinjagunla of Iyamoye Kingdom.
Musa expressed appreciation for the honour and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting peace and security across the country to create an enabling environment for local economies, community development and the preservation of cultural heritage.
