The lack of peaceful co-existence has been responsible for the stunted growth of Nigeria, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has said.
Gowon made the assertion on Saturday when he visited Governor Rochas Okorocha ahead of the rally in the South East by his group, Nigeria Prays.
“Without Peace, certainly, we won’t be able to grow any further. And this is what has been retarding Nigeria recently.
“Let us continue to pray but let us also play our own part to ensure that we are doing whatever we can to achieve the peace.”
Gowon said in view of the incessant killings in the country, there was the need for leaders of the nation to come together and form a common force to find a solution to the problems.
He also stressed the importance of prayers in restoring peace to the country.
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Governor Okorocha spoke in the same vein, saying the spate of killings in the country was a national problem that required urgent attention.
“It started from Boko Haram, to herdsmen, to Niger Delta (militancy), to kidnapping.
“This calls for serious concern, especially the recent one happening in Benue State. We don’t seem to be finding any solution – political or otherwise. Rather, we are all busy condemning the act,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to rise up to the occasion by finding solutions to the problem irrespective of political, religious or ethnic leanings.
According to him, not much had been achieved in stopping the killings.
