Traditional rulers across the country must continue to build bridges of unity to ensure the development of the country.

They should continue to stay abreast with the digital changes in the world and should not allow the changes to affect the preservation of customs, languages and tradition of the people.

According to President Muhammadu Buhari, they should join hand with government in preaching against hate speech and money politics as the twenty-nineteen elections draws nearer.

Buhari said this at the official launch of a book “the Benin Monarchy an Anthology of Benin history” held in Benin in commemoration of the second coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin Oba Ewuare.

He spoke through Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha commending the good relationship that exist between the Sultanate and the Benin Kingdom.

Buhari congratulated Oba Ewuare 11 and the council of chiefs for preserving the Benin culture, saying that the kingdom is a role model for others to copy.

Chairman of the occasion, Retired General Yakubu Gowon commending the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy describing the book a masterpiece that tells African history written by Africans.

“One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always being told by others from their own perspective and from their own purpose.

“The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distorted picture against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of the Benin Kingdom,’’ he said.

Also speaking, former President Good luck Jonathan said the Benin Kingdom had always made the country proud via its rich history and well structured governance system.

Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of his people.

In his remarks, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo assured that the construction of Benin Royal Museum would be completed before Oct. 20, 2021.

He said he took the decision to complete the project at the recent meeting of the Benin Dialogue Group which was made up of all prominent museums in Europe.

“We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1987”, the governor said.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, former governors of Edo, Chief John Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orumwense among others.