National Peace Summit: Gowon Appeals To Nigeria Youths To Shun Violence

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, (rtd.), has appealed to Nigeria youths to shun violence and be advocates of peace and nation building.

Gowon gave the charge at the National Peace Summit and Awards 2022 with the theme, “The Mechanism of Sacrifices and Compromise in Nation Building and Pursuit of Peace for an Emerging New Nigeria.”

Gowon, who attended the event virtually, urged Nigerian youths to rise up to the challenges of nation building and channel their energy positively.

“In spite of the distraction, I want to urge Nigerian youths to stay courageous. Violence has never solved any problem; channel your energy to things that are productive.

“Whatever talent you have; be it in health, technology, entrepreneurship and so on and so forth, stay dedicated and do what you can as youths to give back to the nation. By so doing you’d be building the nation.”

Gowon also called on government to create an enabling environment for youths, saying, “in a society where majority are youths, I believe it is important that government has plans for them by having an enabling environment and put in place policies that will keep them engaged.

“I believe that we all have a role to play as leaders, our youths should work as a unit with government; violence doesnt solve anything, rather, be ambassadors of peace wherever you are.”