One of Nigeria’s living legends, General Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon(PhD, GCFR), celebrated his 90th birthday in style on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with deserved encomiums from a cross section of prominent Nigerians, including two-time Nigerian leader, General Olusegun Obasanjo.

President Bola Tinubu was also among the plethora of leaders who felicitated with a man whose name is synonymous with the “One Nigeria” slogan frequently associated with Nigeria. Gowon will forever be remembered as the leader who at a very tender age (33) mounted the saddle and ably led Nigeria to overcome a 30-month brutal civil war and preserve the country’s unity.

Gowon also ended the conflict on a pleasant and conciliatory note with his “No Victor, No Vanquished” declaration and ensuring that the former breakaway Biafrans returned to Nigeria without continued bloodshed. This was no mean feat, bearing in mind the violence and bloodshed that followed the first and second coups that eventually brought him to power in 1966.

Gowon also presided over the oil boom years of the nation, using the sudden flow of cash to develop critical national infrastructure and settle the welfare of workers through the famous Udoji Award. He remains the only Nigerian military leader who did not stuff his pockets despite his nine years of absolute reign.

Gowon was a stickler for due process and planned development, which his successors unfortunately jettisoned and replaced with the “immediate effect” military mentality that has endured till date even with democratic rule.

However, Gowon is criticised for allowing theatre commanders help themselves with war crimes contrary to official rules of engagement. He is also blamed for failing to fully implement his Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programmes and unwittingly fostering incomplete reintegration of the Igbo ethnic group till date. This flaw is responsible for the resurgence of the quest for Biafra independence in the South-East and some parts of the South-South.

Gowon’s fatal flaw was his failure to return the nation to civil rule as promised in 1975, which made his ouster from power a popular event. He endured a prolonged exile, received a presidential pardon and came home to initiate the “Nigeria Prays” mission for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

Born in Lur, in Kanke LGA of Plateau State, Gowon, a member of the Angas ethnic group, grew up in Wusasa, in Zaria under his Christian missionary parents, Nde Yohanna and Matwok Kurnyang. A keen athlete in his school days, Gowon joined the Royal Nigerian Army in 1954 and received officer training in some of the most prestigious military training institutions in the UK and the Commonwealth. He also served in many peacekeeping missions before assuming power as Nigeria’s Head of State in July 1967.

We celebrate General Gowon and wish him a longer life with good health.