The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has maintained that the key to unlock the success, growth and development of Nigeria lies in the unity, peace and indivisibility of the nation.

The royal father, who led the people of Nupe land to pray for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria during special breaking of fast (Iftar) and prayers at his Wadata Palace Bida at the weekend as part of the activities to mark the 8th Nupe Day celebration, also called for prayers for leaders to succeed.

He urged Nupes to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected leaders, while noting that this year's annual festival that coincided with Ramadan, has made the celebration to be used to pray for the progress of Nupe land and Nigeria as well as for God to guide the nation's leaders.

Abubakar said that no nation or society achieve meaningful progress without peace and unity, hence the need for the diverse ethnic, religious and political group to unite and embrace peace for the development of the nation.

He said, "June 26 every year was set aside by the Nupes to mark Nupe Day in which all sons and daughters of Nupe that cut across Niger, Kwara and Kogi will come back home as a unifying factor that will bring the Nupe together as one united force to achieve a common goal. "This day will not only unite the people of Nupe land but will also give them the opportunity to discuss how to develop the Nupe kingdom, the state and the country at large for the benefit of all", the Etsu stated.

"I want to call on all of us to unite and see ourselves as one united force that will come together to fight for a common goal in order to fight poverty, unemployment and to improve on the standard of living of our people, the state and the country at large. We can only achieve unity and peace if we continue to forge ahead as a united and indivisible nation".

He, therefore, called on Nigerians irrespective of background to continue to pray for President Buhari and others to fight poverty, unemployment and to improve on the standard of living of the people.