Gowon @ 89, ACF Declares Ex-head Of State Icon Of Nigeria Project

Apex Northern socio-cultural group Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described the Chairman of its Board of Patrons, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) as one of the finest and iconic architects of the Nigeria Project, and celebrated him at 89.

According to the national publicity secretary of the forum Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba in a statement, the 89th anniversary is certainly a major milestone in the life of the retired General and may well be that in his private moments, especially at this stage in his life.

ACF said the elder statesman is worried about the unsavoury state of affairs in the political and economic life of the country and its citizens. “This is especially significant if the General looks back at the efforts and energy that he and his colleagues had, while relatively very young, devoted to ensuring that the country remained one, united and indivisible country,

“As he reminisces, General Gowon will certainly look back with nostalgia at the good times in the history of the country when everyone was positive and hopeful, especially after the Civil War of 1969 – 1970. He had popularized, on the platform of “No Victor, No Vanquished”, the mantra of “To keep Nigeria One, is a Task that Must be Done”. The nation is still pursuing the dream but it is not lost. The work that must be done will remain a work in progress. All hope is not lost, despite the perceived formidable challenges in place.

“Therefore, as the forum extends felicitation with prayers for even more celebrations in the future, ACF encourages the General to, as it firmly believes he will remain positive, hopeful and prayerful that all will eventually work out fine for the most populous country in Africa with the world’s largest population of the black race.

“Happy Birthday celebrations with wishes of all the very best to General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former Head of State and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Grand chairman, ACF Distinguished Board of Patrons,” the statement added.