Nigeria’s wartime head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Monday, dismissed the possibility of the nation breaking up inspite of increased agitations and calls for secession.
The General gave this assertion while at the 50th Anniversary programme of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
He said, “I am not scared for the unity of the nation. I have confidence in Nigeria and the youths of this country that they will make sure that they take over and do better than we left for them.
“I have no fear that all these rantings and so on, no; I have confidence that the youths of this nation will keep Nigeria going and make it greater. Diversity is our source of unity and strength.”
Gowon received international acclaim for his “no victor, no vanquished” speech when the Biafrans surrendered and subsequently followed it up with amnesty for the majority of those who bore arms against the nation.
