President Muhammadu Buhari has described former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon as a gallant patriot whose commitment to national unity is beyond comparison in the annals of the nation’s history.
“As young military officers, many of us regarded General Gowon as our role model because of his patriotism, commitment to unity and his humility.”
Buhari, who congratulated General Gowon as he marks his 86th birthday anniversary, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, recalled the role General Gowon played in the nation’s political history and infrastructure development, which he said “is etched in stone and cannot be rewritten.”
According to the President, “the Nigerian civil war brought out the most brilliant qualities of General Gowon as a visionary leader who put the interest of Nigeria before his own personal interest.”
President Buhari said that the former Head of State led a very impressive national reconciliation effort at the end of the civil war in order to heal the bitter emotional and psychological wounds of the fratricidal conflict.
“General Gowon is one of the fairest leaders I have ever known who has inspired so many future leaders.
“Even in the context of Africa, many leaders in the continent draw inspiration from his adroit handling of the outcome of the civil war through his policy of ‘No Victor, No Vanquished,’” he further stated.
“As he marks 86 years of age, Nigerians cannot forget General Gowon’s immeasurable contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria. May God continue to bless him with more good health and the needed strength in understanding his ongoing spiritual engagements and service to humanity.”
