Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State has described the Nigerian Civil War as a needless savagery.
The war fought between 1067 and 1970 saw the Biafran State wanting to secede from Nigeria, with the secessionist state led by the late Odumegwu Ojukwu and the latter being led by Yakubu Gowan.
The war not only caused carnage, it also led a deep hole in the country’s unity.
Rufai thus urged Nigerian youths to shun violence, saying the country could afford a repeat of the strife that claimed almost two million lives.
The governor said this at the closing ceremony of the orientation course organized for members of 2022 Batch B (Stream 2) NYSC corps members posted to the state on Tuesday.
He said, “The youth must remember that the NYSC came into being after the civil war that tore every fabric of the Nigerian state. The war was a needless savagery that we cannot afford to repeat.
“Nigerian youths must therefore distance themselves from fanning the embers of violence and war in Nigeria. As a country, we must avoid a repeat of that dark part of our history. And Nigerian youths must refuse to be ready tools for war mongers.
“My dear valuable corps members, I believe you have the capacity to defend what is good for our dear country and what shall build a united Nigeria and you shall not fail to do what is right for your dear country. After all, the major objective of establishing the NYSC is to promote Nigeria’s unity and enhance development.
“The national youth service is a reflection of the hope that we have placed on our young graduates as touch bearers of a greater Nigeria. You must proof to is that this is not a misplaced hope. We expect you to be innovative, industrious.”
Watch this poetic tribute to a Civil War hero Ndubuisi Kanu:
