President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Daura called on Nigerian youths
to make Nigeria 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 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.’’
Speaking specifically to corps members from the South Eastern states,
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, 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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