By Miriam Humbe
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday, 19 October 2026, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda as part of his ongoing official working visit to the country.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director Army Public Relations disclosed this in a statement signed on Monday.
The visit underscored the devastating consequences of ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, divisive rhetoric and violent extremism, offering profound lessons for Nigeria on the imperative of national unity, peaceful coexistence and conflict prevention.
The memorial, which houses the remains of approximately 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers of unchecked hatred, political manipulation and national disunity.
Rwanda’s tragic history reinforces the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences, reject hate speech and embrace tolerance, patriotism and collective responsibility for national peace and stability.
The visit further highlights the importance of responsible leadership, early conflict prevention and sustained civil-military cooperation, reaffirming that national unity remains the foundation of enduring peace, security and development.
