Tinubu, Obi, others honour Yakubu Gowon on his 90th birthday

• General Yakubu Gowon celebrated his 90th birthday with tributes from prominent Nigerian leaders
• President Tinubu called Gowon an inspiration for his integrity and leadership
• Peter Obi urged Nigerians to avoid hate, stressing the importance of unity

Prominent figures in Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election Peter Obi; and Dr Emmanuel Miri, the country representative of the Carter Centre, among others have paid tribute to former military ruler General Yakubu Gowon as he marked his 90th birthday over the weekend. 

General Gowon, born on October 19, 1934, served as Nigeria's head of state from 1966 to 1975, a period that encompassed the devastating Nigerian Civil War, which claimed over one million lives, majorly among the Igbo ethnic group.

Tinubu hails Gowon over legacies of unity, infrastructure

During a banquet held at the Aso Villa Conference Centre in Abuja, on Saturday, October 19, President Tinubu praised Gowon's integrity and leadership, calling him an inspiration to his administration.

Tinubu said, “Your sterling example lights the path for us in government, in encouraging us to strive relentlessly to serve our fatherland, with integrity and dedication.

“Indeed, you can rightly be called the Father of national infrastructure and unity, having laid the solid foundation for the systems that support our country today.

“One of the most beautiful legacies left behind after the civil war was your philosophy of ‘no victor, no vanquished.’ This powerful mantra fostered an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation that many cherish and strive for today.

“Retired Gen Yakubu Gowon, you are a remarkable figure in the history of Nigeria and a testament to resilience, humility and visionary leadership. As we honour you today, we reflect on your incredible journey that has inspired and continues to inspire generations of Nigerians. At 31, you took the monumental role of leading our dear nation at a difficult time as a brilliant officer.

“You have always moderated us towards moderation and dialogue. Remarkable with us is the importance of unity within the ECOWAS and beyond, I am immensely grateful for your wise counsel.

“We remain grateful for the lessons you taught us. Through your ‘Nigeria Prays’ programme, you have shown your unwavering commitment to peace, harmony and stability in Nigeria; advocating for religious tolerance while nurturing a spirit of togetherness among Nigerians.

“In your retirement, you have remained a beacon of knowledge and wisdom. Your continued quest for learning reminds us that age and status are no barrier to growth and enlightenment,” Tinubu stated.

Peter Obi addresses mixed reactions to Gowon’s birthday celebration

Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate for the 2023 election, made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians, especially his supporters, after congratulating General Gowon on his 90th birthday. He urged them to avoid hate and bitterness, emphasising that these sentiments are not conducive to the nation’s future.

In a long statement titled, “Why I Congratulated Gen. Gowon at 90,” on X (formerly Twitter), Obi said, “My felicitation with Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, which was celebrated by a cross-section of Nigerians, has been received with mixed feelings by some Nigerians, and some have expressed their sentiments publicly, and privately to me.

“I share in some of them and I feel that as a leader in the vanguard of providing direction for our country to shift base away from all our shortcomings, including the issues that caused our avoidable cruel civil war, I needed to show to the World that the ultimate heroism is forgiving the enemy and moving forward.

“Whatever reason I will give for joining the rest of Nigerians to greet General Gowon, May never truly conform with some persons, especially direct victims of the war, but anger, hurt, and bitterness are the commonest responses to cruelty. It fuels sectarianism, it leads to resistance and avoidable blood feuds that we are witnessing across the globe, and even in our country and it does not abate,” Obi stated in part. 

The Labour Party's presidential candidate for the 2023 election further said, “What Nigeria needs badly and urgently to survive going forward is good governance, which can only germinate and grow in true peace and the presence of justice. Thanks and God bless.”

Obasanjo reflects on leadership and sacrifice in Nigeria’s history

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reminisced about General Gowon's important contributions, which include the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps, Unity Schools, and Federal Universities and Polytechnics, along with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He pointed out that his most crucial legacy is promoting national unity.

“Some people say situation turns out a leader or situation makes a leader or a leader makes situation, whichever way you want to look at it, we had a difficult situation and at a very young age of 31, going to 32, that makes you the youngest Nigerian that has ever occupied that position.

“What you achieved is just not your effort, but the efforts and sacrifice of many Nigerians who worked with you in the military, whether on the Nigerian side or the so-called Biafran side. All those who died in civil war made supreme sacrifice.

“They made sacrifices that made us have Nigeria unity today; it doesn’t matter which side they died; the sacrifice that those who worked with you, whether military or not, and the leadership that you have made us to have a united Nigeria today,” he said. 

“Until you stop breathing, your life will continue to be dedicated to service to humanity and service to God,” Obasanjo stated.

Gowon’s efforts lead to the elimination of river blindness, others, Miri

Dr Emmanuel Miri, the country representative of the Carter Centre in Nigeria, noted that General Yakubu Gowon's remarkable leadership has significantly contributed to the successful eradication of Guinea worm and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the country.

“Gen. Gowon was deeply involved in the Malaria program he led, and in 2010, the Carter Center signed another memorandum of understanding (MoU) with his Center to fight neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

“I can proudly say the program was a huge success under his watch. His exceptional leadership qualities have led to the total elimination of River blindness and Lymphatic Phylarisis in Plateau and Nasarawa states.”

Miri further said, “What touched me most about Gen. Yakubu Gowon was his humility. He is not shy or afraid of going to rural areas.”

“We went with him to the most difficult terrain, where he dropped his car and trekked on foot a long distance to meet with women and children to educate them on tackling these diseases. This is a unique leadership quality that no past or serving Nigerian leader possessed,” Miri added.

Ooni of Ife @ 50: Dignitaries celebrate Yoruba monarch on golden jubilee

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the city of Ile-Ife was abuzzed with celebration as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, marked his 50th birthday in grand style. 

The celebrations included the commissioning of the Ojaja Cinema at the Ojaja Arena, attended by prominent figures such as former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Governor Ademola Adeleke.