President Bola Tinubu has described the newly released autobiography of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as a vital compass for Nigeria’s future.
He urged Nigerians to embrace it as a tool for national healing and regional stability.
Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered the President’s remarks yesterday during the public presentation of the memoir, “My Life of Duty and Allegiance,” at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Tinubu praised Gowon’s life and leadership as a direct rebuttal to those attempting to divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines.
He said Gowon’s story reminded Nigerians that the country thrives when citizens refuse to become “weapons in the hands of sectarian entrepreneurs.”
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“A nation that misplaces its memory soon begins to quarrel with its own reflection,” the President said.
“A society without memory becomes an orphan in time.”
Reflecting on the post-civil war era, Tinubu commended Gowon’s “No victor, no vanquished” policy, describing it as a masterclass in statesmanship that remains relevant as West Africa confronts insecurity and social fragmentation.
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Legacies of unity
The President identified two major achievements of the Gowon administration that continue to shape Nigeria’s national identity.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which he credited with bridging cultural and ethnic divides across generations, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He described ECOWAS as a crucial platform for regional trade and collective security, helping to prevent conflicts from spreading across borders.
Nigeria’s future
Speaking at the event, Gowon said the memoir represented a modest effort to document his experiences during a period when his personal journey became deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s history.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the former Head of State dismissed pessimistic views about the country’s future, insisting that Nigeria remained resilient despite its challenges.
“Nigeria will never fail despite the country’s challenges,” Gowon declared.
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The event attracted several prominent Nigerian leaders and dignitaries.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who chaired the occasion, praised Gowon’s vision and stressed the importance of memoirs in preserving institutional memory.
Matthew Kukah, who reviewed the book, described it as a vivid account of a turbulent period in Nigeria’s history, while noting that no single autobiography could fully capture historical realities.
Lanre Adesuyi described the publication as a civic responsibility and a valuable contribution to national development.
The ceremony also drew a distinguished gathering that included former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, senior government officials, state governors and federal ministers.
