From Azare, to the Council of the Katagum Emirate of the State of Bauchi, a lot of praise was addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating and carrying out development projects in the country and in particular in the ’emirate.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who was in Azare, Bauchi State, to honor the wedding ceremony of former Ms. Fatima Adamu (the daughter of Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education), stopped for a courtesy visit to the emir of Katagum Palace where the emir, Alhaji Umar Farouk, congratulated the president while listing some major projects completed in the state.

In his own remarks, the vice president in a statement by his media aide Laolu Akande noted that the appeal of guests to the event is proof of Nigeria’s indivisibility regardless of ethnicity, religion and social class.

Congratulating the President and addressing the Vice President, the Emir said: “I wish, on behalf of our people, to express our gratitude to the President for all the projects he has been able to carry out.”

He then listed some of the projects like the Kano-Maiduguri road project which runs through the city of Azare and locating the State Medical Sciences University among other projects.

The emir also congratulated the president on appointing two ministers of the emirate of Katagum (both at the palace: the Minister of Education and Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of State , Ambassador Mariam Katagum who, he recalled, was born “here in this palace.”

The emir also congratulated the government of the state of Bauchi for “all the projects it has undertaken in this emirate”.

Affirming the unity of Nigeria, Prof. Osinbajo said: “This is an occasion where you will discover that our country is truly a united country and that nothing can separate this country, not ethnicity, religion or class. There is nothing that can separate this country. In fact, it is excellent proof that this country is united.

The Vice President then congratulated the Emir of Katagum for ensuring unity among all who reside in the emirate, just “the emirate of Katagum is a place where Your Royal Highness has continually demonstrated your will to welcome people from all parts of the country ”.

He also praised the Minister of Education for his belief in a united country and for also building bridges between parties and religious lines to assert his belief.

“Each of us is here because of our personal relationship with you, which is how leadership should be,” explained the vice president.

For his part, Governor Bala Mohammed congratulated the Vice President on his love for the people and, above all, his leadership qualities.

According to him, “the people and the government of the State of Bauchi are particularly grateful to you. We know how well you defied the odds of coming here from a trip abroad and you prepared yourself this morning to come here. This is the amount and testament to the respect you have for all of us, not just for Mallam Adamu Adamu.

“Thank you very much sir, you have distinguished yourself as a leader defying all odds. I remember you came to attend my daughter’s wedding. It was very fancy and it was very unique.

Dignitaries attending the event include, Senate Speaker Ahmed Lawan; the governors Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Babagana Zulum from Borno; Mr. Kayode Fayemi from Ekiti; Mohammed Badaru Abubakar from Jigawa; Simon Lalong from Plateau; Mai Mala Buni from Yobe and host, Bala Mohammed from Bauchi. The founding president of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande and the national leader of the party, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were also present.

Other federal ministers who also attended the meeting include Transport: Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Information & Culture: Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and communications and the digital economy: Dr Ali Isa Pantami.