‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance’, the 881-page autobiography, published by Havilah Group, chronicles Gowon’s life, leadership journey and reflections on key moments in Nigeria’s history, including the Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970. It also captures his early life and his unexpected emergence as Nigeria’s leader during a critical phase in the nation’s political evolution.
“By choosing to write, I took a conscious decision not to reopen old wounds but to clarify my thinking on policies and plans at a period often narrated by others”
General Gowon: A mentor and role model
The book ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance’, tells a unique story, and is indeed a gift to Nigeria and the world. It gives readers a rare opportunity of going back in time to read first-hand account of some of the most significant events in our nation’s history. I have had the privilege of perusing an advance copy of the book and I can say that it is not only engaging, but also filled with many historical records that would be of interest to historians, policy makers, bureaucrats, administrators, and the general public.
TY Danjuma
I AM delighted to pay this tribute to Nigeria’s foremost living statesman, former Head of State, war-time Commander-in-Chief, my military boss, and international icon, HE General Dr Yakubu Gowon, GCFR on this momentous occasion of the public presentation of his autobiography, today. General Gowon is not only a household name in Nigeria, but also a globally acknowledged leader with impeccable record and outstanding credentials in leadership, nation building, military strategy, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution amongst many other noble endeavours.
As Nigeria’s Head of State during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history, General Gowon exhibited immense courage and sterling character in steering our beloved country from the brink of disintegration to a united, stable and strong nation. His well recorded slogan of “No victor, no vanquished” after the Civil War set the tone for his highly effective post-war policies of “reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation” which helped to speedily heal the scars of the war and put Nigeria on the path to sustainable recovery. He will forever be remembered as a leader whose love for his country and fellow citizens was unwavering, even in the most trying of times.
On a personal note, I have been fortunate to know General Gowon since my teenage years in Wusasa Zaria, more than seven decades ago, where our paths first crossed. That marked the beginning of what has become a lifelong relationship and friendship between us. As a student in St. Bartholomew’s Primary School, Wusasa, I was always excited to see him in Government College (later Barewa College) Zaria uniform whenever he visited his parents in Wusasa. I was then looking forward to attending Government College Zaria like him for my post-primary education. Unfortunately, I was admitted only at Katsina-Ala Middle School instead of Zaria.
After my secondary education, I gained admission into the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria where I saw some of my fellow students wearing military uniform and was told they belonged to the College Cadet Corps. I was fascinated by the jungle hat which ignited my interest in army uniform. I consequently decided to join the College Cadet Corps where the foundation for my military career was laid.
During my service years, General Gowon became a mentor, role model, leader and boss whose impact on my career was quite profound and has continued to shape my military values, professionalism, some beliefs, and world view even until today. My admiration for General Gowon goes beyond our personal friendship and more succinctly defined by his loyal service to Nigeria, motivated by his avowed commitment to evolving a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria. In later years after public service, his love for Nigeria further manifested in his pet project “Nigeria Prays,” galvanizing efforts at moral rebirth and attracting divine blessings for our beloved country.
Like many Nigerians, I was looking forward to reading General Gowon’s memoirs someday. I am glad that he has finally brought this much anticipated project to life. The book ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance’, tells a unique story, and is indeed a gift to Nigeria and the world. It gives readers a rare opportunity of going back in time to read first-hand account of some of the most significant events in our nation’s history. I have had the privilege of perusing an advance copy of the book and I can say that it is not only engaging, but also filled with many historical records that would be of interest to historians, policy makers, bureaucrats, administrators, and the general public. From my personal recollections and knowledge of some of the happenings in the military and the nation, the memoir will provoke healthy conversations.
Before I end this tribute, let me express my gratitude to my one-time Commander-in-Chief for not allowing the business, strategic and political differences that he and I might have had to affect the mutual respect and friendship either in or out of Service. On behalf of my family, I am congratulating General Yakubu Gowon for taking time to write his memoirs and bequeathing to our country and the world, a treasure trove of history, that will no doubt remain one of the best works of its kind. I also congratulate Her Excellency, Mrs Victoria Gowon for remaining a strong pillar of support to her husband in this project.
- Lt General Danjuma (rtd), GCON, is a former Chief of Army Staff during the military era and the first Defence Minister during the current civilian dispensation.
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Gowon: Steady symbol and voice for One Nigeria
History will remain fair to him as a grateful nation salutes him on the occasion of the public presentation of his Autobiography that will be a reference point of public service with sincerity, compassion and commitment with the patriotic belief in One Nigeria as a nation of diverse cultures, history and beliefs the hallmark of our strength and resilience enamored by the belief and faith in God. United we Stand and Divided we Fall.
Ibrahim Babangida
PERHAPS no other former Nigerian leader embodies our national history as much as General Yakubu Gowon. For this, he deserves the salute of our nation as his Autobiography is presented at the ripe age of 91 years and still in good health.
Like most patriotic Nigerians, I am joined by my family to wish him many more years of service to our country and humanity. Today, we celebrate him as we recall his illustrious story of selfless and outstanding service to our dear fatherland.
A celebration of General Gowon will be incomplete without acknowledging that behind most of his giant strides in life there is his Wife, a wonderful Lady, Victoria Hansatu Gowon, nee Zakari, that he married on April 19, 1969 at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos. From that time on she had been a great pillar of support to the General and as the 3rd youngest First Lady of Nigeria, she was graceful, modest, very kind, simple and down to earth.
He assumed national leadership at an auspicious moment in our history. A series of crises enveloped the nation following the January 1966 military overthrow of the first civilian government. The forces of division threatened the continued existence of the nation. Even the military as a unifying institution faced existential crises.
Yakubu Gowon therefore assumed power with a triple mandate at a moment of grave national necessity. He was challenged to keep the nation united. He was called upon to also keep the military united as an instrument of national unity. Above all, he and his colleagues faced the challenge of resuming the task of nation building from where the colonialists and founding fathers had left off.
It is to General Gowon’s eternal credit that he faced all these historic challenges with courage, wisdom and characteristic humility. Perhaps his Middle Belt origins facilitated his task by reducing the polarising tendency of national leadership at that stage. None of the major tripartite regions could claim him as representing their interest but that of the nation as a whole.
Even then, the forces of division had reached an advanced stage. The nation tragically split into two warring factions as the former Eastern Region declared itself the Republic of Biafra pitted in a civil war against the rest of the nation.
Gowon was transformed from national leader to a war hero who fought and ended a bloody and unnecessary civil war (1967-70). He ended the war and reunited the country with the attendant tasks of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the war affected sections of the country.
It is to the credit of his genteel leadership that the war ended with minimal bitterness on all sides. There were no successor guerrilla factions or unresolved residual conflicts.
In the post war era, Gowon followed up with fundamental nation building policies. To his credit are the establishment of a unified national command for the armed forces and the police which has preserved these institutions as forces of national cohesion to date.
He established the National Youth Corps scheme, the National Unity Secondary Schools and the Federal Character quota system for appointments and representation in federal government agencies. This is in addition to introducing an indigenous national currency, the Naira to replace the colonial British Pound Sterling.
He also established the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an instrument of cohesion and integration among West African States. All these institutions have survived till date.
Even after leaving office, Gowon has continued to work towards national unity and harmony. He has shunned partisan politics in spite of pressures. He has avoided the building of a political presence or personality cult.
In a nation still wracked by divisive forces and tendencies, it is to General Gowon’s abiding credit that he has not been associated with any of the trending ethnic, religious or geopolitical movements ravaging today’s Nigeria. He has instead remained one steady symbol and voice for a United, diverse and inclusive nation.
Gowon was not and has never been associated with corruption nor did he have any overt corporate interests or involvements. Instead, he has continued to live a simple and modest life as a shining example to younger generations.
In times of crises, he has been available for national service as a mediator and conciliator. At other times, he has led the nation in prayer under his pet project: Nigeria Prays.
Successive governments have easily resorted to his experience and counsel, often consulting him in dealing with contemporary problems of governance and statesmanship.
This distinguished soldier, offcer, gentleman, nationalist and outstanding statesman has served Nigeria well and embodied our finest values.
History will remain fair to him as a grateful nation salutes him on the occasion of the public presentation of his Autobiography that will be a reference point of public service with sincerity, compassion and commitment with the patriotic belief in One Nigeria as a nation of diverse cultures, history and beliefs the hallmark of our strength and resilience enamored by the belief and faith in God. United we Stand and Divided we Fall.
Live Long our amiable, warm-hearted and charming General, I commend this Autobiography to all Nigerians, Africans and to all lovers of Nigeria across the World.
- A tribute to General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR by General Ibrahim Babangida on the occasion of the launching of his autobiography ‘My Life Of Duty & Allegiance’
