BY Taye Obateru
Jos—Former Head of State Yakubu Gowon has decried the increasing level of insecurity and wanton destruction of lives and property in the country describing it as a cause for concern.

Speaking at a lecture to commemorate his 77th birthday in Jos yesterday, he said the senseless killings and other acts violence against fellow Nigerians should end.

He said: “I am worried about what is happening in various parts of this country today. The level of man’s inhumanity to man is quite unfortunate.”

In his lecture, Governor Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said it is an impeachable offence for any state governor to refuse to hand over the reins of power to his deputy when on vacation or traveling out of the country as some have been doing.

Speaking on “Inferential Variables for Securing Harmonious Co-existence in Plural Society” as part of activities to mark  the birthday, he said the transfer of authority to Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff or others by some governors was unconstitutional.

He said the importance of the position of deputy governor is underscored by the fact that a governorship ticket is incomplete without a running mate adding, “it is unconstitutional for any governor to hand over to the Secretary to the State Government or Chief of Staff when on vacation; it is a misdemeanor and an impeachable offence.”

The governor commended the vision behind the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by the Gowon Administration noting that the scheme remains one of the few uniting factors for the youth in the country and should not be scrapped as some are agitating.

He stressed the need for Nigerians across different religions to plan well for their children to be able to give them quality education that will make them grow up to be useful members of society.

”The standard today is having well informed and educated children. The two major religions in Nigeria taught us about planning; no religion kicks against family planning. We must plan to give our children qualitative education and have the number we can take care of”, he said.

He believed that the abolition of the indigenes-settler dichotomy as he has done in Niger State would eliminate crisis in parts of the country. He said every Nigerian should have a sense of belonging wherever they are residing.

Acting Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Ignatius Longjan extolled Gowon’s virtues describing him as an epitome of peace who not only strove to keep the country united but has continued to contribute to nation building.

He enjoined Nigerians to emulate Gowon’s qualities by working to keep the country united and contribute to her development at their respective levels stressing that dialogue is key to peaceful co-existence.