Gowon advocates tolerance, unity among Nigerians to end killings

FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has advocated for more tolerance and understanding among Nigerians to put an end to the spate of killings in the country.

He made the remark, on Saturday, while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Nigeria Military School (NMS) 60th Speech and Prize Giving Day in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He lament that Nigerians were killing one another for no reasons, advising that tolerance, understanding, brotherliness, accommodation and patriotism must be exhibited to restore peace across the country.

“Is it Nigerians that are killing Nigerians? It is of course very painful, I have to raise this for you young boys to know and understand that killing is not good. We must remove evil from our own minds to be able to live together as Christians and Muslims, as young boys, you prepare to deal with the situation when the need arise without fear or favour,” he said.

Gowon cited Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, among others as some of the most affected states, advising that people must learn to tolerate one another to live in peace.

The ex-head of state lauded the efforts of the NMS Commandant, Brig-Gen. MuktarBunza for moulding the boys to simultaneously acquire academic and military training.

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He said NMS had remained a path for promoting national unity among Nigerians from different ethno-cultural and religious background.

According to him, the school has tremendously contributed to national growth and development through production of disciplined, patriotic, gallant and humble leaders.

Gowon advised the management to adopt world best practices in training the boys to become professional soldiers.

In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion,  Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara State reminded the NMS students that they were highly privileged to be enrolled into such prestigious school.

Yari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul-Karim observed that sound education was the hallmark of success in life.