President Goodluck Jonathan has described former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gown (rtd), as a true elder statesman, whose commitment during the civil war was to keep Nigeria one and not to crush an enemy.Jonathan made the remarks on Sunday at a thanksgiving service at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to mark Gowon’s 80th birthday.
He stated that the celebrant was a good example of a genuine elder statesman, accommodating even his enemies in the interest of peace and unity of the country.
According to him, Gowon further demonstrated his commitment to Nigeria’s unity after the Nigerian civil war, with his Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation programme.
“As a patriot and Head of Government then, and was prosecuting the civil war, he did not see the Biafran side as a thing that must be crushed.
“Gown saw the war as a struggle of Nigerians and his emphasis was ‘how do we keep Nigeria together.
“It was not ‘we must crush them or we must defeat them’. Of course, that was why the slogan, ‘To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done,’ came up and of course, ‘Go on with one Nigeria’.
“His commitment is to unite this country, to keep Nigeria one, not to win a war, not to defeat an opponent, not to crush a rebellion.
“For him, it was ‘how do we bring this nation as indivisible body?’’
Jonathan noted Gowon’s effort to galvanise Nigerians into prayer for unity and his cooperation with succeeding administration to develop the country.
“He hardly misses Council of State meetings. If we call for Council of State meeting and Gowon is not there, it must be for something inevitable,” he said.
The president congratulated the celebrant for his birthday and thanked God for keeping him young and active at 80 years.
He specifically thanked Victoria, Gowon’s wife for giving her husband peace at home which he said accounted partly for his sound health at 80.
Responding, Gowon thanked Nigerians for the encomiums poured on him and advised that they call on God in time of need, as God would never disappoint them.
He said without the cooperation, prayers and advice of Nigerians, he would never have been able to achieve what he achieved in life.
The former head of state said that his life had been characterised by ups and downs, but his faith in God had strengthened him to do what was right in the sight of God and man.
“And that is what I would like every Nigerian to always do.
“If you are in trouble or in area of joy and festivity, always put everything to God, because I can assure you, without him, you would never be able to succeed,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pst Ayo Oritsejafor, said that Gown was being celebrated for his humility, simplicity and gift of prayer to the country.
“We celebrate your Nigerianness, we celebrate the special way God used you to take this nation through a trying period and you are still here.
“You are a symbol of hope for this nation,” he said.
The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, described Gowon as “indeed a good man” and thanked God for his life.
In a tribute, Kukah said Gowon had demonstrated unequivocally his love for peace,
and prayed that children misled by Boko Haram would be touched and very soon, peace would return to the country.
The Archbishop of Jos, Anglican Communion, Dr. Ben Kwashi, in his sermon, also referred to Gowon as complete gentlemen with amiable disposition.
He observed that the former head of state supported by his wife, Victoria, meant well for Nigeria and did his best to make life easy for Nigerians.
According to him, Gowon is a man with a forgiving heart, adding that he led with a sense of justice, sincerity and honestly and never loses hope.
He recalled Gowon’s mantra, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done”, during the civil war and his effort for national integration at the end of the war.
He used the opportunity to warn Nigerians against evil and to live in righteousness.
Kwashi stated that God would never punish the righteous, but would judge and punish the wicked, adding that the day of judgment was near when all would account for their deeds.
Other dignitaries at the service included the President of the Senate, David Mark; Governors David Jang (Plateau), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).
Others were former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme and wife, Beatrice; former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd); former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, among others. (NAN)
