A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has urged Nigerians to constantly pray for the peace of the nation, saying that Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.
The former leader, who expressed worry over the crises across the nation, noted that a nation can only thrive where there is peace.
The Nigerian Civil War was between 1967 and 1970 and claimed millions of lives. But speaking at the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos, Plateau, Gowon, who expressed worry over the state of insecurity, prayed that Nigeria will not experience another civil war.
“All the various crises that we are having in Nigeria are so disturbing. This is something that God knows we should not be having after our Civil War,” he said on Friday.
“I have said, and I prayed to God that I hope Nigeria will not go through another period of crisis that we went through.
“Let us pray to God that we are now beginning to see the end of all these crises. Pray to God so that God can touch the hearts of all those who are that way inclined to create problems,” said Gowon, who was the guest speaker at the event.
“For Nigeria, pray to God, for God to touch their hearts, change them, reform them, and make them contribute to the peace and well-being of one another, of Nigerians,” he added.
Prominent Nigerians who have made significant contributions to the country’s peace and unity graced the opening of the first-ever Plateau State Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival, which took place at the 10 Commandments Prayer Altar in Dwoi, Jos South Local Government Area.
In addition to Gowon, other notable Nigerians who attended the event included Boni Haruna of Adamawa State, former Plateau governors Joshua Dariye and Jonah Jang, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Other personalities included Ambassador Mary Lar, Professor Jerry Gana, retired military officers, and government functionaries who joined Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the carols and praise festival.
