COAS Visits Kigali Genocide Memorial, Urges National Unity And Tolerance
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as essential pillars of lasting peace and security. He made the call during a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Monday, 19 October 2026, as part of his ongoing official working visit to the country.
The memorial, which houses the remains of approximately 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, stands as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, political manipulation and divisive rhetoric.
The visit highlighted important lessons for Nigeria, particularly the need to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences, reject hate speech and promote mutual understanding among citizens. Rwanda’s tragic history underscores the dangers of allowing hatred and division to undermine national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Lieutenant General Shaibu’s visit also emphasised the importance of responsible leadership, early conflict prevention and sustained civil-military cooperation in addressing security challenges. It further reinforced the need for collective responsibility in building a peaceful, united and stable nation where diversity is embraced as a source of strength.
