Former PDP National chairman, Bamanga Tukur, APC National leader, Bola Tinubu and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi have commended former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon for his selfless contributions to the growth and well-being of the country.
They spoke separately on Friday as they celebrated Gowan who turns 85 today, October 19.
While Tukur and Fayemi spoke at a dinner organised by the Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa, in Abuja, to mark Gowon’s 85th birthday, Tinubu’s comments were contained in a statement issued by his Media office in Lagos.
Tukur in his speech described Gowon as a “living legend, an epitome of unity and oneness of Nigeria.”
He said Gowon piloted the affairs of the nation during her most difficult moment of the Civil War, which he ended with humility by declaring a ‘No Victor, No Vanquish.
Tukur recalled Gowon’s efforts to rebuild the country after the war through his Triple ‘R’ (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation).
He also recalled that Gowon introduced the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to foster national unity and cohesion and promulgated the Indigenisation and Nationalisation Decree to empower Nigerians to benefit from the newly found black gold (crude oil).
Tukur, posited that everything about Gowon leaned towards unity, describing him as a “true Nigerian whose name is an acronym for unity, ‘Go-On-With-One-Nigeria’, GOWON.”
He held that Gowon’s “monumental services will remain a reference point in our political, military and governmental history.”
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The Guest Speaker at the dinner and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi noted that Gowon was “a very honest and humble person who dedicated himself to the service of the country at the early stage of his life.”
He said Gowon was one of the few public figure he cherished and admired.
Speaking on theme, “Leadership in Trouble Times,” Fayemi said: “Gowon has become to Nigeria what Abraham Lincoln is to US. He doesn’t criticised the current president rather advises him in secret. He commands respect of Nigerians across faiths.
“Gen. Gowon is very special to Ekiti State. Where there are good elders children will not go astray and I recommend him to young Nigerians as a mentor and role model for younger generation within the political space.”
In the statement issued in Lagos, Tinubu
described Gowon as a statesman who contributed immensely to nation-building.
Tinubu said: “I congratulate former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as he clocks 85 on October 19, 2019.
“He is a statesman and national icon who contributed enormously to Nigeria’s unity and development.
“Nigeria owes General Gowon a debt of gratitude for his efforts at resolving ethnic tensions that threatened to fatally divide the country and for his continued and untiring efforts at building one Nigeria.
“It’s on record that after the civil war, General Gowon propounded the ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ policy aimed at bringing about national reconciliation, which thrives on his personal influence.
“General Gowon has continued with the task of engendering peace and unity in the land with the ‘Nigeria Prays’ project.
“The General also laid the foundation for the decentralisation of the country with the creation of additional states and the division of Nigeria into 12 states.
“I pray that God grant him many more years, good health and vitality to continue to contribute to nation-building and development, and be a shining example to the younger generation that he has always been.”
General Yakubu Gowon served as military Head of State of Nigeria from 1966-1975.
