TheCable

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, former presidential candidate of the Peoples Trust (PT), says the middle belt region is the bridge for the unity of Nigeria.

Olawepo-Hashim said this on Tuesday while speaking at the launch of “My Testimony”, the autobiography of Dan Suleiman, an air commodore, which held in Abuja.

He said the middle belt should as a result continue to facilitate national reconciliation towards good governance in Nigeria.

The businessman added that no matter the challenges being faced in the country, leaders in the region have no reason to despair “as there are no triumphs without trials.”

“The middle belt is doing its best. We should continue to do this in the interest of our dear nation and for future generation,” Olawepo-Hashim said.

He cited an instance with Suleiman whom he described as an “outstanding figure” in the middle belt.

He said Suleiman has been in the forefront of the fight for the struggle for national unity.

He added that Suleiman who was military governor of Plateau state, is a nationalist who has continued to defend national values, and has been “exemplary as a beacon of hope for newer generations.”

“The foundation that the legend is setting up is one that will communicate his virtues and values,” he said of Suleiman, adding: “He is not arrogant. He is God-fearing and has been a fighter for democracy by severally putting his life on the line.

“We must not lose focus of the gains from the Middle-Belt despite provocations. We paid dearly for our national unity. We must continue to do this, because our task is not over yet. We remain a vehicle to unite the country.”

Suleiman said the role of nation building is a difficult one which requires all hands to be on deck.

According to him, “the Middle Belt has been playing the role of a mediator and cannot afford to shirk this responsibility”