A former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has reiterated his commitment to the oneness of Nigeria, saying that the unity of the country is non-negotiable.

Gowon stated this on Tuesday while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at an exhibition in honour of one the country’s foremost physicians, Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.

While commending Nigerians for their resilience in the face of untold hardship, Gowon urged them to strive towards maintaining the oneness of the country as a single entity at all costs.

His words: “You are all aware of my strong desire and commitment for the peace and unity of our nation. I want to further add my voice to the call for peace and national unity.

“I want to reiterate in the strongest term that the peace and unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. I will continue to work at achieving the much desired peace and unity that we crave daily for our country.

“I am strongly of the belief that for the future of our nation to be assured, we must strive to build legacies of peace and unity.”

He advocated more tolerance and understanding among Nigerians to put an end to the spate of killings in the country, urging them to imbibe the spirit of understanding, brotherliness, accommodation and patriotism.

He extolled Akinkugbe’s virtues, tasking upcoming medical professionals to see his life as a yardstick to measure the quality of their contributions to the profession and national development.