General Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon (PhD, GCFR), one of Nigeria’s revered leaders, marked his 90th birthday on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with heartfelt tributes from a wide array of distinguished Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and current President Bola Tinubu. Gowon, synonymous with the “One Nigeria” slogan, is celebrated for his pivotal role in leading the nation through a tumultuous period during the Nigerian Civil War.
Ascending to leadership at the young age of 33, Gowon guided Nigeria through a 30-month brutal civil war, ultimately preserving the nation’s unity with his memorable “No Victor, No Vanquished” declaration. This approach facilitated the reintegration of the former Biafrans without further bloodshed, a significant achievement given the violence surrounding the earlier coups that brought him to power in 1966.
During his tenure, Gowon presided over Nigeria’s oil boom, strategically utilizing the influx of revenue to develop essential national infrastructure and enhance worker welfare through the notable Udoji Award. Notably, he remains the only military ruler in Nigeria who did not amass personal wealth during his nine years in power.
Gowon was known for his adherence to due process and planned development—principles that have since been overshadowed by a culture of immediacy adopted by his successors. However, his legacy is not without criticism. He faced backlash for allowing military commanders to commit war crimes during the civil conflict, failing to fully implement his Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation programs, and inadvertently contributing to the incomplete reintegration of the Igbo people, which has fueled calls for Biafran independence in the South-East.
Gowon’s promise to return Nigeria to civilian rule by 1975 remained unfulfilled, leading to his eventual ouster—a development welcomed by many. After a prolonged exile, he received a presidential pardon and returned to Nigeria, where he launched the “Nigeria Prays” initiative, promoting reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
