Gowon: A Steady Symbol and Voice for All of Nigeria

Ibrahim Babangida

General Yakubu Gowon stands out as a figure who embodies Nigeria’s national history. For this reason, the nation should honor him as his autobiography is presented at the age of 91, when he remains in good health.

Like many patriotic Nigerians, I join my family in wishing him many more years of service to our country and to humanity. Today we celebrate him and remember his illustrious record of self‑less and outstanding service to our beloved fatherland.

A tribute to General Gowon would be incomplete without acknowledging his wife, Victoria Hansatu Gowon, née Zakari, whom he married on 19 April 1969 at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos. From that time she has been a great pillar of support. As the third youngest First Lady of Nigeria, she was graceful, modest, kind, simple and down to earth.

He assumed national leadership at a pivotal moment in our history. A series of crises followed the January 1966 military overthrow of the first civilian government. Forces of division threatened the nation’s existence, and even the military as a unifying institution faced existential challenges.

Yakubu Gowon therefore took power with a triple mandate at a time of grave national necessity. He was tasked with keeping the nation united, maintaining the military as an instrument of national unity, and resuming the nation‑building work left unfinished by colonialists and founding fathers.

General Gowon met these historic challenges with courage, wisdom and humility. His Middle Belt origins may have helped reduce the polarising tendency of national leadership at that time, as none of the major regions could claim him as representing their interests alone but rather the nation as a whole.

Even then, forces of division had advanced. The nation split into two warring factions when the former Eastern Region declared itself the Republic of Biafra, leading to a civil war against the rest of the country.

Gowon transformed from a national leader into a war hero who fought and ended the bloody and unnecessary civil war (1967‑70). He reunited the country and undertook the tasks of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of war‑affected areas.

His genteel leadership ensured the war ended with minimal bitterness on all sides, leaving no successor guerrilla factions or unresolved residual conflicts.

In the post‑war era, Gowon implemented fundamental nation‑building policies. He established a unified national command for the armed forces and the police, preserving these institutions as forces of national cohesion to date.

He created the National Youth Corps scheme, the National Unity Secondary Schools, and the Federal Character quota system for appointments and representation in federal government agencies. He also introduced an indigenous national currency, the Naira, to replace the colonial British Pound Sterling.

He founded the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an instrument of cohesion and integration among West African states. All these institutions have survived to this day.

Even after leaving office, Gowon has continued to work toward national unity and harmony. He has shunned partisan politics despite pressures and has avoided building a political presence or personality cult.

In a nation still plagued by divisive forces, it is a credit to General Gowon that he has not been associated with any of the trending ethnic, religious or geopolitical movements that ravage today’s Nigeria. Instead, he has remained a steady symbol and voice for a united, diverse and inclusive nation.

Gowon has never been linked to corruption nor had any overt corporate interests or involvements. He has lived a simple and modest life, setting a shining example for younger generations.

During crises, he has been available for national service as a mediator and conciliator. At other times, he has led the nation in prayer through his pet project: Nigeria Prays.

Successive governments have readily sought his experience and counsel, often consulting him on contemporary governance and statesmanship issues.

This distinguished soldier, officer, gentleman, nationalist and outstanding statesman has served Nigeria well and embodied our finest values.

History will remain fair to him as a grateful nation salutes him on the occasion of the public presentation of his autobiography, which will serve as a reference point for public service marked by sincerity, compassion and commitment, and the patriotic belief in One Nigeria as a nation of diverse cultures, history and beliefs—the hallmark of our strength and resilience, guided by faith in God. United we stand and divided we fall.

Live long, our amiable, warm‑hearted and charming General. I commend this autobiography to all Nigerians, Africans and all lovers of Nigeria across the world.

• A tribute to General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR by General Ibrahim Babangida on the occasion of the launching of his autobiography “My Life Of Duty & Allegiance”