Yakubu Gowon, a retired General of the Nigerian Army was the youngest Head of State (1966-1975) that Nigeria had produced. He needs no introduction. He was, and is still loved by many. And here’s an account of my first hand ‘close contact’ with him.
In 1973, while preparing for our promotional examinations from Primary 1 to primary 2, at LGEA Primary School, Uchi-Mbakor, present day Tarka local Government Area, (then in old Gboko local government area), our former Headmaster, Late Gbakaan Aminde announced to the students and teachers, during one of our assembly gatherings, the state visit of the Head of State to Benue-Plateau State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The school was thrown into excitement.
We were told the Head of State would pass through our school, situated by the road side along Makurdi-Gboko highway to visit the then Tor Tiv, HRH, Gondo Aluor now late in his palace in Gboko. To my little mind, i thought he would stop by and shake our hands. All students were to line up along the road in front of our school in our blue shorts and white shirts uniforms. It was a sight to behold.
One of the teachers, i can’t remember his name, was asked to teach us this line:
“General Yakubu Gowon, welcome to Benue-Plateau State.” We were to be waving in the air.
As early as 7am on the day of his visit, we came prepared. As soon as the headmaster and teachers were convinced that the population of students was enough, we started repeating the line waving in the air. We chorused this in sync, excitedly. The rendition was that of a mass choir in the presence of the King.
By noon, both teachers and students were fatigued due to long hours under the scorching sun. The headmaster then dismissed us for a short break but directed us to resume immediately. We did and came back early and lined up.
Some pupils and even teachers were still struggling to fix themselves up on the line when at about 4pm or there about, we heard the presidential convoy of Peugoet cars blaring with sirens from a distance. We all rushed into line and began our routine of repeating the line: “General Yakubu Gowon, welcome to Benue-Plateau State.” We waved alongside.
In a flash, the Head of State and his convoy passed without even slowing down. I’m not sure he ever noticed that the school pupils had been in the sun for almost a whole day. The speed with which the comvoy passed without acknowledging our presence made me think we didn’t matter.
Fast forward: And so, many years after, i trained as a journalist, working with Vanguard newspaper in Abuja. General Gowon who was toppled in 1975, fled the country before he eventually returned to Nigeria.
During one of my routine assignments at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, i ran into our former head of state at the entry foyer of Transcorp Hilton. This time, no convoys. No heavy security details around him. He was just alone, with his orderly. They were waiting for his driver to come forward with his car. I was excited to ‘catch’ our head of state so easily.
As I moved closer to him, the detail closed in on me but the fatherly wave to him saved me. I greeted him respectfully. He asked me who I was. I told him and went ahead to narrate how we stood in the sun for almost a whole day waiting for him in 1973. I told him i was, like many then, were disappointed that he didn’t even slowed down to acknowledge our well rehearsed welcome message and hand wave.
Gowon smiled and tapped me at the back saying, “young man, you did it for me. They will also do it for you tomorrow.” By this time, his car had parked and the orderly had opened the door as i walked with him to his car. He waved again smiling. I don’t know what mat have been going through his mind.
There were no phones then so I didn’t have the opportunity to take any selfies with the former president.
From this ‘close’ contact and a watching him from a distance, Gowon played his part for the sake of Nigeria. We should strive to do our part, building on what he and our forefathers had lived and fought for. Such is the life of this gentleman soldier, politician, academic, father, grand father and great grand father.
Your Excellency sir, as you mark your 90th Birthday, I join thousands in Nigeria and around the World to wish you many more years filled with joy and happiness.
Happy Birthday General Yakubu Gowon.
Ikyur wrote in from Makurdi, Benue State.
