The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, says federal institutions, including unity schools, were established majorly to promote Nigeria's unity and its boundless diversity.

The monarch expressed stated this at his palace in Ilorin while receiving the 33rd Passing-out Parade (PoP) of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria alumni, led by its chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed.

The emir noted that unity schools and other federal establishments were specifically launched to foster unity and oneness of the country.

According to him, since all students would be drawn from across the nation, it is certain that familiarity that would transcend religion and ethnic bigotry would ensue.

Sulu-Gambari stressed that while at school or at work – in the case of offices – brotherhood and undying love that would outlive the office or schools would undoubtedly be formed.

“Merely looking at you all, one would unquestionably come to terms with Nigeria's reality; of the reality that one is looking at Nigeria,” the 83 year-old monarch observed, recalling that promoting unity was one of the objectives of creating the school in 1954 by the British Government.

“If Nigeria is going to survive, it is a group like this that would make it survive, and if it would break, it is a group like this that would ensure it,” he added.

Earlier, the chairman of the group, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, explained that they were in the state to seek the blessings of the emir and to showcase themselves in ways and manners that would attract Kwara State indigenes and residents to enroll their wards in the school.

“Over the years, we have gone round this country to celebrate ourselves and also celebrate the diversity and the blessings that this country has.

“In 2015, we were in Uyo; in 2016, we were in Jos; in 2017, we were in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); in 2018 we were in Ibadan; in 2019, we were in Enugu; in 2021, we were in Yola; and last year, we were in Benin.

“Today sir, we have come to the great kingdom of Ilorin to come and celebrate ourselves and also to seek your blessings and prayers,” he recounted.