A coalition under the aegis of the Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) has enjoined Nigerian youths to embrace peace and eschew acts that can lead to the disintegration of Nigeria.
YAF also kicked against violent agitations for the secession of Yorubaland or any other part of the country from the rest of Nigeria.
It urged the youths to avoid aiding groups and individuals acting under the guise of agitating for secession to destabilise the country.
The Forum, which congratulated Nigerians on this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations, praised the nation’s security agencies, the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), tradititonal rulers throughout Yorubaland and Leaders of Thought in Nigeria as well as the International Community for promoting peace.
YAF National Coordinator Adeshina Animashaun spoke at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said: “As Nigerians, we should all observe this special month with gratitude to Almighty God for seeing us through the year and also with pride in our dear fatherland, knowing full well that this is a significant period for the whole of Nigeria in particular and humanity in general.
“This, of course, is an auspicious time of the year and we salute all Nigerians for choosing to maintain peace inspite of all the threats to the nation’s security and shenanigans by various centrifugal forces operating in different parts of the country.
“May the peace and prosperity of Nigeria never cease, and may we continue to rejoice in the blessings that God has bestowed on our dear fatherland. Amen!
“YAF celebrates the desire of all patriotic Nigerians towards the maintenance of security and peace. Long live Nigeria! We thank all Nigerian citizens, the various security agencies, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and heads of other para-military services for the invaluable role they have been playing since the beginning of this year in ensuring a secure and peaceful country.
“YAF also commends the international community for their support to the government and people of Nigeria throughout 2021.
“They should continue to give their support to the legitimate Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari.
“YAF further enjoins all Nigerian youths to continue to maintain peace by ignoring seccession agitators and their sponsors.”
He went on: “As Nigerians, we should not just exhibit our pride in the Nigerian nation just during Christmas period only.
“The feeling of being patriotic and proud Nigerians should occupy our minds at all times.
“We should not expect to develop our pride in Nigeria after she has become great.
“Rather, we should know that Nigeria can only become great when we sincerely contribute individually and collectively to her continued peaceful corporate existence and even take pride in it.
“Let’s continue to celebrate peace in our country by ensuring that the labours of all our past national heroes, who have given us the freedom we’ve been enjoying in Nigeria in the past six decades, do not go in vain.
“We must not take our peculiar situation for granted. Rather, we should at all times strive to play our role patriotically in order to make Nigeria a better place for ourselves and generations yet unborn under a very peaceful atmosphere.
“It is only when our country progresses in everything in an atmosphere of peace that the whole world can be proud of us.
“No nation progresses in a chaotic atmosphere and under insecurity imposed by some aggrieved and unpatriotic citizens.
“All citizens, particularly the youths, must eschew activities aimed at undermining the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“George Washington, the first President of the United States of America, says, ‘The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregard the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.’
“As a group of patriotic citizens, YAF will never waver in our consistent pursuit of a peaceful and united Nigeria.
“Merry Christmas and happy New Year celebrations to all Nigerians in advance!”