July 11, (THEWILL) – Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has warned Nigerians, particularly the youth and war drum beaters, not to drag the country into another Civil War that may spell permanent doom for the country and its people.
The former Head of State spoke on Saturday in Abuja, during a public lecture organised by the Peace Corps of Nigeria as one of the programmes lined up to mark its 23 years.
Represented as the Chairman of the lecture by a former military Governor of old Bauchi State, Major General Chris Abutu Garuba (retd), Gowon said another Civil War would not only bring permanent backwardness to the country but also harrowing experiences of unimaginable dimension to the innocent citizenry.
While describing war as an unpleasant situation, Gowon submitted that those who fell victim of the civil War between 1967 and 1970 would not wish that Nigeria had another experience of such again.
He expressed deep concern on the growing tension in the country as well as agitations among the youths, calling on the Federal Government to take up the challenge.
The elder stateman showered praises on the Peace Corps of Nigeria and its National Commandant, Professor Dickson Akoh, for calming down the anger among Nigeria’s restless youths through mobilisation and orientation.
He sought the support of well-meaning Nigerians and the government for the corps.
Delivering his lecture, the guest lecturer, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, declared that only those who had never seen war could call for one.
Albert said going into another Civil War would only escalate the problems confronting the country now.
“If you see war, blood-shedding of the innocents, you will run if you have the opportunity to do so. It is only those who have never seen a war that can call for it. It does not pay anyone,” he said.
He advised those agitating for war and secession to stop in their own interest and those of the innocent citizens.
The advice, he said, was imperative considering the fact that the country and Nigerians would gain nothing from another Civil War in the end.
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