By Correspondent in Abuja
Those agitating for another war in Nigeria, especially youths, have been urged to drop the idea because war will spell permanent doom for Nigeria, if allowed to erupt again.
The Reporters recalls that Nigeria had fought 30-month civil war that lasted between 1967 and 1970 during which an estimated 1 million Nigerians lost their and property worth millions perished.
Gen. Yakubu Gowon,whose leadership as the military Head of state from 1966 to 1975, witnessed the war, gave the word of caution to youths in the country against the back drop of some of them agitating for another civil war in Nigeria.
Gowon gave the advice on Saturday in Abuja during a public lecture entitled,“Rejigging the Security Architecture of Nigeria.”
The former military Head of State, represented by former Governor of Bauchi State, Maj. Gen.Chris Abutu Garuba(rtd), told the agitators that “war is an unpleasant situation”, warning that a repeat of it was capable of retarding the progress of Nigeria to an unimaginable dimension.
He noted that no victim of war would wish that Nigeria is plunged into it, having witnessed one before.
Gowon, however,expressed concern over the growing tension among youths in the country and called on the federal government to take up the challenge.
In his contribution, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert,who specializes in African History, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, said war would only escalate Nigeria’s problems.
“If you see war, you will run. It is only those who have never seen war that can call for it. It does not pay anyone,”he also admonished.
The don told those beating the drum of war to have a rethink and check their step, reminding them that Nigeria would not gain anything positive from it in the final analysis.
According to global statistics, Nigerian population is over 200 million,70 per cent of who are youths, many of who are jobless, thus being into various social vices among other negative behaviours.
