General Gowon: A Mentor and Role Model
Theophilus 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.
