Civil war could have been averted, Otti declares

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, yesterday, said Nigerian Civil War could have been avoided, if reason was allowed to prevail.

Otti, who spoke in an address during the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Umuahia, noted that the loss of millions of lives during the war would remain a long-standing dent on the country’s history.

The governor, however, praised the sacrifices being made by men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces in protecting lives, property and territorial integrity of the nation.

He said: “The shedding of the blood of millions of people, especially innocent, non-combatant women, children and the elderly, would remain a long-standing stain on our history and there should be no attempt to downplay that; even then, history would also record the quick attempts at reconciliation and reintegration initiated by the military itself as an eternal redeeming gesture.”

Otti regretted that some Nigerians, especially the elite, were yet to learn from the events of the civil war and had refused to engage in constructive dialogue and nation building.

MEANWHILE, as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was being marked, yesterday, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, urged Nigerians to avoid any action or utterance that could lead to violence or war.
 
Saying that the ceremony should not only remind Nigerians of military men and civilians that died during the war and peace-keeping missions, he said it should be a reminder of need for citizens to shun acts that could lead to violence.

Oborovwori, who led top military officers and others to lay wreaths at the statue of the Unknown Soldier at the Cenotaph, Asaba, venue of the ceremony, inspected a guard of honour mounted by Nigerian Army, Airforce, Navy, and the Nigerian Legion. 

IN Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun called on Nigerians to have faith in the current political system, the government and its leaders, saying the country is on the verge of rising again.

He also called on citizens to shun all acts of violence or utterances that do not define them as a people.

The governor stated this at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where the day was celebrated.

Abiodun urged Nigerians to continue to be their brother’s keeper, and to stay away from sowing discord among themselves.

He said: “Let us imbibe the spirit of brotherhood among ourselves. Let us uphold the spirit of not just nationhood but optimism. Let us have faith in our system, our government, and our leaders. Nigeria is on the verge of rising again.”