From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Emir of Muri kingdom in Taraba State, His Majesty, Alhaji Abbas Tafida, has called on the people of the state to eschew bitterness and compete favourably to bring about the best of the land rather than trying to eliminate others.
The royal father who gave the charge in Jalingo called on the people to learn skills and get more committed to their farming activities to increase productivity and their quality of life.
He regretted that despite the enormous potential in the state, poor leadership, lack of unity of purpose, laziness and insecurity among other factors have made the state one of the poorest states in the country.
“Go out there and learn new skills and give your farming activities more seriously to make our lives better. God has blessed us with everything and we should not need handouts from anywhere. We can not be beggars for any reason. That is why it is very important to acquire the needed skills and the right disposition to contribute positively and promote our tribes and religion by our good attitude and not violence,” h.e stated
“As a father, it is sad to see how children are fighting themselves needlessly. Fight for productivity. Compete to be the greatest and the best of the best, not the most violent. God who made us unique in our own way has reasons. There is no reason why anyone should not have food on the table except for our laziness.
“We ascribe importance to the wrong things. Our importance should be to the extent of our productivity, not where we come from or the faith we profess. As we go into the general elections, I will advise that whoever emerges the leader, let us accept them, embrace and tell them the truth without fear.”
He called on the youths to embrace honesty, creativity and hardwork rather than indulging in crime and other vices as these will only help to destroy them.