Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has said Nigerians must make efforts to launder the image of the country.
The monarch, who stated this on Thursday while playing host to a former External Affairs Minister, Tom Ikhimi, said he enjoyed the cooperation of the former minister while he was an ambassador to Sweden, Denmark and other Scandinavian countries, under the Late General Sanni Abacha’s regime.
The traditional ruler said his time as an ambassador was tough as Nigeria was tagged a ‘pariah state’ that the international community was not pleased with.
He added, “We have to do a lot of work to launder the image of the country. I want to say thank you for your support during that period. My posting at that time was like a training ground for me. So, I had all the support at that time because you were in the office.”
Ikimi showered encomium on the Oba for his outstanding contributions that helped to shape Nigeria and solicited for prayers, having attained a significant milestone in life.
He also congratulated the Oba on his forthcoming investiture as Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja.
He said, “Your Majesty, you are one of the leaders in this world that I appreciate. I respect our tradition, and I have come to congratulate you on what you have done for the revered Kingdom of Benin. You have shown respect, and everyone respects the Benin Kingdom under your leadership.
“I congratulate you on the effort you made when I was a foreign affairs minister in accepting to be our ambassador in the Scandinavian where you put in your best.”
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