The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has highlighted the importance of national unity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence following his visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
The statement explained that the visit underscored the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences in the collective pursuit of national peace and stability.
It added that Shaibu, who visited the memorial on Monday as part of his ongoing official working visit to Rwanda, said the country’s tragic history offered important lessons on the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred, divisive rhetoric and violent extremism.
The statement pointed out that the Kigali Genocide Memorial housed the remains of approximately 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, serving as a solemn reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred, political manipulation and national disunity.
It noted that Rwanda’s experience reinforced the importance of rejecting hate speech, embracing tolerance and promoting patriotism and collective responsibility among citizens.
According to the statement, the visit highlighted the critical roles of responsible leadership, early conflict prevention and sustained civil-military cooperation in preventing violent conflicts and strengthening national cohesion.
The Army reiterated that national unity remained fundamental to achieving enduring peace, security and sustainable development.
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