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Jonathan hails former Nigerian leader’s unifying legacy
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My book not to settle scores, says Gowon
By Jude Opara and Abubakar Yunusa
It was a grand gathering of Nigeria’s political, traditional, and business elite on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja for the public presentation of the autobiography of former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
The 859-page memoir, titled “My Life of Duty and Allegiance,” drew powerful speeches, nostalgic recollections, and an outpouring of goodwill from a distinguished audience, which included former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former First Lady Patience Jonathan. Other notable dignitaries present included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described General Gowon’s autobiography as an essential national document and a “civic inheritance” that should serve as a guide for Nigeria’s future, national unity, and regional cooperation.
Tinubu noted that the memoir has arrived at a critical moment when Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region are battling insecurity, economic difficulties, and social fragmentation, making Gowon’s lessons on statesmanship and reconciliation deeply relevant.
“A nation that misplaces its memory soon begins to quarrel with its own reflection.
“A society without memory becomes an orphan in time,” the President warned, adding that countries failing to learn from their past are prone to repeating mistakes.
He praised Gowon’s enduring legacies, specifically highlighting his post-civil war declaration of “No victor, no vanquished,” the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to bridge cultural divides, and his pivotal role in founding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Using the occasion to address ongoing regional challenges, Tinubu made a passionate appeal to the people of Gowon’s home state, Plateau State, to embrace peace.
He emphasized that peace and development are inseparable, noting that Plateau has the agricultural potential—such as the cultivation of avocados, plums, and coffee—to generate billions of naira and significantly boost Nigeria’s economy.
In his remarks, General Yakubu Gowon explained that his life and Nigeria’s history have become deeply interwoven, making it necessary for him to finally put his experiences into writing.
However, he clarified that the book was not written out of malice.
“I only needed to tell my truth, not join issues with anyone or sit in judgment over what is right or wrong,” Gowon stated, explaining that the memoir aims to correct historical misconceptions.
Weighing in on the current state of the nation, the elder statesman strongly cautioned politicians against engaging in “do-or-die politics” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He lamented the inability of political actors to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, even within their own political parties.
Despite these challenges, Gowon urged Nigerians not to surrender to pessimism or narratives labeling Nigeria a failed state.
“During my time as Head of State, the country did not fall, and I remain confident that despite all her challenges, Nigeria will still not fall,” he declared.
The launch witnessed an immense show of financial support, led by former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma.
Praising Gowon’s professionalism and patriotism which shaped generations of military officers, Danjuma officially launched the book with a staggering donation of N3 billion.
Other leaders offered glowing tributes to Gowon’s legacy.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, described the memoir as a timely account of one of the most critical moments in Nigerian history.
He praised Gowon’s “no victor, no vanquished” policy as the ultimate foundation for healing, reconstruction, and reintegration.
Also, the 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II stated that history remembers leaders more for their values and integrity than for infrastructure projects.
“People remember leaders for who they are. Do they remember you for integrity or corruption?” Sanusi asked, hailing Gowon as a symbol of justice.
He also recalled that Gowon had appointed his own father as Nigeria’s envoy to Canada, Belgium, and China.
On his part, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, hailed Gowon’s deep compassion, sharing a touching story of how the former Head of State personally wrote letters to comfort a young boy who lost his father during the 1966 crisis.
The reviewer of the book, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah, described the memoir as a vivid, valuable account of Nigeria’s turbulent history and Gowon’s personal journey.
However, Bishop Kukah noted that autobiographies are naturally shaped by personal perspectives.
“Nobody tells all the truth. The point of view depends on the viewer,” Kukah observed, challenging any Nigerians who might be dissatisfied with published memoirs to document their own versions of history.
Ultimately, Kukah concluded that the primary takeaway from Gowon’s story is the enduring need for unity, reconciliation, and hope for Nigeria’s future.
Echoing this sentiment, Lanre Adesuyi, the Group Chief Executive of Havilah Group, noted that the memoir underscores how crucial it is for Africans to document their own history rather than leaving national narratives in the hands of outsiders.
