Ensure you do better than what we have done for you, Gowon tells youths

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has challenged Nigerian youths to ensure that they do better than what both and present leaders have done for the country.

He made this assertion at a National Security Seminar“Unity in Diversity: Security and National Development”, organised by the Department of State Service (DSS) in Abuja.

According to him “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.

On the calls for restructuring or secession by different groups and sections in the country, Gowon advised the agitators to be mindful of the rights of others.

He condemned situations where certain individuals and interest groups hide under the freedom of speech and association guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution to cause threat to the unity and sovereignty of the country.

“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.

Daura said that security and law enforcement agencies would not sit by while separatist elements continued with their activities that put at risk the lives and properties of law-abiding and innocent Nigerians.