FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has hailed former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on reaching the remarkable age of 90, saying that he deserves to be celebrated nationally.
Obasanjo said this on Friday in Abuja while speaking at the 90th birthday lecture for Gowon.
He said he was thanking God on behalf of the former Head of State who he said got to the age of 90 by the grace of God.
“This is a national celebration and you are worthy to be nationally celebrated while you are still alive.
“I look at the galaxy of distinguished men and women around, only very few of them can claim to be eyewitnesses to your time in government, not to talk of your time in the army.
“And because by the grace of God who has given you the longevity of life and who has given me a little bit to be following you, I will just thank God on your behalf that God has made you reach 90,” Obasanjo said.
The chairman of the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, described Gowon, who turns 90 today, as a symbol of “unity, humility and accommodation” in the country.
According to him, Gowon came into power at a time of necessity following the 1966 military coup.
The Sultan said Nigeria is lucky to have a statesman like Gowon live such long and healthy life.
“He laid the foundation for continuity and stability, we owe him immense gratitude for the perseverance and tenacity in keeping this country in one piece and at peace with itself.
“Nigeria is exceptionally lucky to have a statesman of his age in full consciousness. Not many countries are really lucky to have such statesmen that live this long and in relatively good health,” Sultan Abubakar said.
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, also attended the event and presented a keynote speech.
During his speech, Adesina announced that the AfDB will establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria which is part of its support for young people.
“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100m for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” he said.
Adesina said the move underscores AfDB’s resolve to support youths who he believes are critical to the development of the country.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari paid tributes to General Gowon, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
In a message, Buhari said the former military ruler’s far-sighted leadership and commitment to the nation’s unity and future development was praiseworthy.
“We honour his invaluable contributions to our nation’s continued existence as one, and the progress that has come with that.
“Today, we pay a humble tribute to a distinguished statesman and a soldier, who had all the qualities of a successful army commander,” he said in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
Buhari said both old and the younger generation of Nigerians would continue to be proud of General Gowon and the officers and men he led for their courage and gallantry in preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the nation.
“I pay homage to all those who served and laid their lives for the country. Gowon and the team he led will continue to inspire the young generations and the country for a long time.”
He conveyed his strong appreciation for the resolute dedication of the former Head of State as he continues to offer service to the nation and its people, including “the admirable role he plays in leading his pet project ‘Nigeria Prays.’”
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Gowon as a refined and uncontroversial public figure with unwavering commitment to national unity and integrity.
In a statement on Friday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, joined Nigerians and others to celebrate the statesman who he said demonstrated leadership acumen, finesse and sagacity in handling the Nigerian civil war.
Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, said, “Healing the wounds of the civil war through national reconciliation was one of General Gowon’s greatest and indelible achievements.”
He explained that the introduction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a shining example of Gowon’s commitment to national integration by encouraging our youths from different cultural backgrounds to interact with other people outside their own ethnic zones.
“Happily, the NYSC has gone a long way to encourage intermarriages, thereby breaking down the barriers of cultural, ethnic and religious prejudices,” Atiku added.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, congratulated Gowon, describing him as “patriotism personified.”
The Speaker, who noted General Gowon’s invaluable contributions for Nigeria to remain one indivisible entity, applauded the ex-head of State as a hero.
Speaker Abbas said General Gowon is not only a patriot of repute but also a unifier, which is why Nigerian leaders and generations to come should emulate him.
Describing General Gowon as a perfect elder statesman, Speaker Abbas said the former Head of State has paid his dues and should be celebrated by every Nigerian.
“I join millions of our compatriots to celebrate our dear former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who clocks 90 years on earth.
“I make bold to say that General Gowon remains one of Nigeria’s finest, committed, and dedicated leaders. His heroics, when he served as the Head of State, ensured that we remain one nation,” the Speaker said.
Also, the chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Professor Tunji Olaopa, on Friday described General Gowon as the “personification of the Nigerian essence; the Nigerian spirit.”
Olaopa’s tribute was contained in a congratulatory message to Gowon.
He said he believed that providence specifically inscribed Gowon’s life with a unique purpose that intersected that of Nigeria.
Noting that he did not make that claim flippantly, Olaopa explained: “To be born before the founding of such a combustible nation as ours, and to have matured to receive a calling to fight a war to elevate an artificial creation of the British colonialist – a mere geographical expression – to quote Chief Obafemi Awolowo – to the status of a state worth preserving, is nothing less than a defining trajectory.”
Besides, he lauded Gowon for his spiritual efforts to keep Nigeria together.
READ ALSO: Ooni Adeyeye, big inspiration to Yoruba traditional institution — Gani Adams
