Buhari Tells NYSC Corps Members In Daura ''Tell Your People To Forget Biafra''
President Muhammadu
Buhari Tuesday in Daura called on Nigerian youths to make the country
great again through pursuit of knowledge, patriotism and commitment to
values that promote national unity.
Receiving
over 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Daura
local government area, in his residence, President Buhari pledged his
unalloyed commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.
He
urged them to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject
those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.
The
President, who specially recognised corps members from the Niger Delta
and South-Eastern states serving in Daura, praised the vision of former
President Yakubu Gowon in setting up the scheme in 1973.
The
President said the scheme had 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”, he declared.
Speaking specifically to corps members from the South Eastern states,
the President said: “Tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.’’
the President 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 2 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 said.
In his
remarks, Mr Egbewumi Adebolu, the Corps Liaison Officer in Daura,
thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their
stay in Daura memorable.
He said
the youths strongly believed 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 Salah celebration.
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