President Muhammadu Buhari has asked groups agitating for the creation of Republic of Biafra from Nigeria to forget it because they can’t get it.
President Buhari, who spoke to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members with particular attention to those from the South East, said: “tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.
“As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the north and the east, to the border between Cameroons and Nigeria.
“I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, in which at least two million Nigerians were killed.
“We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.
“So if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another. So please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.
“Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country.”
The President, who received in audience in his Daura residence, Katsina state, over 100 Corps members serving in Daura local government area, stressed that he is singularly committed to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria come what may.
He advised the youth across the country to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.
The President commended corps members from the Niger Delta and South-Eastern states serving in Daura, even as he praised the vision of former President Yakubu Gowon in creating the youth corps scheme in 1973.
The President said the scheme has creditably promoted national unity and cohesion by exposing young people to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of Nigeria.
“I asked for those from the other extreme of Nigeria because I very much appreciate the NYSC scheme and whenever I see General Gowon, I always thank him for that.”
In his remarks, the Corps Liaison Officer in Daura, Mr Egbewumi Adebolu, thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their stay in Daura memorable.
He said that the youths strongly believe in the programme of the President to reduce unemployment and create jobs for more Nigerians.
Adebolu thanked the President for his personal gifts of cows, bags of rice and cash to corps members in the community for Sallah celebration. [myad]
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