‘Be Better Than Us’, Gowon Begs Nigerian Youths

He was 32-years-old when he took over power as a military leader and he wants youths to do better than his generation. He is two months away from his 83 birthday

A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, wants Nigerian youths to do better than the older generation who are still ruling the nation.

It was a plea he made at a National Security Seminar on “Unity in Diversity: Security and National Development”, organised by the Department of State Service (DSS) in Abuja on Wednesday.

He was 32 when he became a military leader and it was during his rule that agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra led to a civil war.

General Gowon wants Nigerian youths to avoid anything that threatens the sovereignty and unity of the nation.

His advice is coming at a time there are agitations for secession mostly from south-east and a quit ultimatum from northern youths to Igbos living in the north.

“You are the future of this country. In all that you do, ensure that we build the country in the interest of all.

“Ensure that you do better than what we have done for you. This is my plea to you,’’ he told youths.

Gowon also advised the agitators to be mindful of the rights of others.
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He condemned situations where certain individuals and interest groups hide under the freedom of speech and association guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution to disrupt national security.

“My view and call is that all Nigerians should like their country, right or wrong, but yet demand a change for good and better.’’

On his part, the Director-General of DSS, Mr Lawal Daura, advised all groups and individuals bent on pursuing their divisive and separatist activities that threaten national security, to have a rethink.