Gibson Achonu
A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has expressed concerns over the killings perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect and herdsmen.
Gowon says his heart bleeds when he hears about their activities which he described as “man’s inhumanity to man.”
He spoke on Saturday when he paid Governor Rochas Okorocha a visit at the Imo State Government House in Owerri.
The retired general said Nigeria needed peace so that all the people could live and work together in the overall interest of the country.
He said, “I am not happy with the way innocent citizens of this country are being killed.”
Gowon expressed optimism that with prayers, God would touch the hearts of those perpetrating killings in the same way He transformed the biblical Apostle Paul, who became an instrument of transformation instead of destruction.
He said, “After the civil war, from this town, Owerri, I visited Nsukka, Enugu, Abakaliki, Umuahia and Onitsha. We were impressed by with the way the children turned out to welcome us. They were saying, ‘You are our parent and leader.’ Please, do not allow any Nigerian child to experience what we suffered.
“We are in Imo for the Nigeria prayer rally. This is a prayer rally we have been holding in the geopolitical zones. This time, it is the turn of the South-East zone to host the prayer rally and Imo is hosting us. Your Excellency, we are grateful for your support. We are impressed by your zeal and passion for Christ in suing for peace, which is what the country needs now.”
In his remarks, Okorocha called for concerted efforts to end Boko Haram and other national problems.
The govenror said Nigerians, irrespective of their religious and political leanings, should come up with ideas on how best to overcome these challenges.
He said, “That acronym ‘Gowon’ means go-on with one Nigeria. If this leader (Gowon) had not ended the war the way it ended, giving room for ‘no victor, no vanquished’ postulations, we would not have a country called Nigeria today.
“His name is synonymous with peace; he is a man who ended the civil war without bad feelings. We will honour him in our state.”
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