By Gabriel Ameh
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged Nigerians to reject hatred, ethnic division and religious intolerance, warning that national unity and peaceful coexistence are essential to lasting peace and security.
Shaibu made the call on Monday, October 19, 2026, during a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda as part of his official working visit to the country.
The memorial preserves the memory of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in which more than 800,000 people were killed, according to widely documented historical accounts. It also serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred, political manipulation and divisive rhetoric.
The Nigerian Army chief’s visit highlighted lessons he said were relevant to Nigeria, where ethnic, religious and political differences can create tensions and threaten peaceful coexistence.
The visit underscored the importance of promoting mutual understanding, discouraging hate speech and encouraging Nigerians to see diversity as a source of national strength rather than division.
COAS Highlights Dangers of Division
The history commemorated at the Kigali Genocide Memorial illustrates how discrimination, dehumanising language and the deliberate promotion of hatred can contribute to widespread violence.
For Nigeria, the lessons reinforce the importance of addressing tensions before they escalate into conflict and ensuring that differences among communities do not become grounds for hostility.
Shaibu’s visit also drew attention to the role of responsible leadership in promoting tolerance, strengthening national cohesion and preventing conflicts.
The experience in Rwanda serves as a reminder that peace cannot be sustained through security measures alone. It also requires public trust, responsible communication and a shared commitment to protecting human dignity.
Army Chief Stresses Conflict Prevention
The visit further highlighted the importance of early conflict prevention and sustained cooperation between the military and civilian institutions in responding to security challenges.
Building a peaceful society, the message from the visit suggests, requires collective action by government institutions, community leaders and citizens.
For Nigeria, where security challenges affect communities in different parts of the country, promoting dialogue and addressing the causes of tension remain important elements of efforts to strengthen stability.
Shaibu’s visit reinforced the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political divisions and work towards a society where citizens can coexist peacefully.
The central lesson from Rwanda’s tragic history is that hatred and division can have devastating consequences when left unchecked, while tolerance, responsible leadership and national unity are essential to building a stable society.
Source: Nigerian Army.
