Today marks the 90th birthday of Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, the man who provided astounding and stimulating leadership to roll back the threatening floods of disintegration bullying his nation into oblivion.
The first military misadventure of January 1966 had introduced an unwarranted anxiety in the then newly independent nation, as some young military officers claimed they were spurred by the urgency of cleansing the Augean stable created by the First Republic politicians.
In a moment of rage, these young officers, spearheaded mainly by soldiers of the rank of Major, unleashed death on some politicians, including senior military colleagues, they claimed to have constituted grave dangers to Nigeria. When the dust was finally settled, even to the undiscerning mind, the insurrection was deemed more of an ethnically inspired putsch than cleansing the country of corrupt politicians.
Before his return to the country two days to the January 1966 coup, after a military course in the United Kingdom, the then young army officer, Lt-Col Yakubu Gowon, when asked what would be his position if a coup took place in Nigeria, responded by stressing that there were still loyal soldiers that could rally together to reinstate constitutional government. Less than 48 hours after he arrived in Lagos, the January 1966 coup took place, sending ripples of tension and crippling fear across the country.
Destiny’s Thrust
Becoming the youngest Chief of Army Staff at 31, the British-trained army officer was a professional soldier that was majorly enthused by the vision of defending the sovereignty of his country. To him, the role of the military was clearly defined. Gowon’s actions and reactions during and after the revenge coup of July 1966, culminating in the assassination of the Supreme Commander, General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, was anchored on professionalism. His choice for leadership by the coupists proved effective in tackling the ethnic tension ripping across the tension-soaked nation. The two coups had polarised the country, and this military officer and son of the itinerant preacher from Kanke, Plateau State, now in the saddle of power, would provide a rousing roadmap in wielding a force in defence of Nigeria’s unity. The then young Head of State would rule a country devoid of the tyranny of the majority by delivering a leadership that sought to temper mercy and a sense of belonging to all groups.
In Lincoln’s Posture
Like Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America (USA), Gowon provided incontestable leadership that served to salvage the unity of Nigeria from ruins during its darkest history. By refusing to demonstrate neither hatred nor malice to the Igbo, he led a government that was poised at unifying the country as he rallied local and international voices to stamp out the revolt. Gowon fervently prayed for the quick end of the war and never failed to remind his field commanders that the conflict was never aimed at inflicting injuries on Igbo, but to reconcile them to the bigger Nigerian project that then carried a message of prosperity to all.
The war would have ended earlier than 1970, and further losses on both sides in the conflict avoided, but the refractory disposition of Lt-Col Chukwuemeka Ojukwu turned out to be a shroud. At the end of the civil war, this man of peace that was forced into a war that was initially termed “police action” declared that the three-year war had ended in “no victor, no vanquished”. To bring back the Igbo populace into the mainstream, he declared the 3Rs (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction) for the healing of wounds incurred during the war.
Nearly 55 years after the war, there is no better person adequately prepared with the right frame of mind that would have pulled the nation out of the furnace of insurrection than General Gowon who distinguished himself in the management of the war and built a solid foundation for a united Nigeria. This consummate military officer who reached the highest pinnacle of his professional career served with ceaseless dignity and empathy, bringing to bear his humility and devotion in the service of his Fatherland. If there are people who are unconvinced of Gowon’s true nationalism as shown in his leadership; they do so on account of contemporary challenges. Unlike Lincoln’s successors who never let go of the plough in building America, succeeding Nigerian leadership deviated from the goals set by Gowon.
Not Letting Go
He was the true symbol of incorruptness and total devotion to the public good. Out of power, he returned to the academics and earned a PhD in Political Science. From the soldier that waged war to keep his nation united, Nigeria’s youngest military leader has not let go of the plough to resolve some of the problems militating against the progress of his country. The Yakubu Gowon Centre, his personal initiative for intervention, has led to the elimination of the guinea worm disease that was once a national scourge, among other ailments.
Gowon’s footpaths in power are evidence of what an officer gentleman’s goodness and humility did in wielding a diverse people into a formidable force for unity. Present leadership should take a cue from his sterling record in stamping out the raging smokes of insecurity and the gradual rise in ethnic and religious flavours being enthroned in politics. Gowon @90 is devoid of ailments usually associated with men of his age. He strides without a walking stick and has refused to bend in structure. He remains the inspiring epitome of Nigeria’s finest leadership in our nation’s darkest history.
Happy 90th birthday to the old soldier who is not in a hurry to exit this life. May the decades to come be filled with joy and happiness, with your lovely wife, Lady Victoria Gowon, children and grandchildren by your side. General, continue to enjoy resounding health in the service of Nigerians and Humanity!
