80 toasts to Yakubu Gowon

Since he was ousted out of power in a bloodless military putsch, the amiable and soft-spoken General has outlived all the governments, both military and civilian, that came after him.Without equivocation or fear of being contradicted, one can submit that the affable General is about the only Nigerian leader living or dead who does not […]

Since he was ousted out of power in a bloodless military putsch, the amiable and soft-spoken General has outlived all the governments, both military and civilian, that came after him.
Without equivocation or fear of being contradicted, one can submit that the affable General is about the only Nigerian leader living or dead who does not carry the baggage of religion, tribe or region. As a leader and national hero, most Nigerians didn’t bother to know his regional or religious identity and very few yet know that he is of the Angas of Plateau State, though he was born and brought up in Wusasa, a suburb of Zaria, in Kaduna State from where he once contested for the presidency.
During his regime, he was so popular that anytime he paid a working visit to any region or state, traders, shop owners and students carrying national flag would line the streets in colourful attire to welcome him. He was held in such high regards that some parents in reverence chose to name their children after him.
At the successful end of the civil war, Gowon became a global icon with his declaration of “No Victor, No Vanquished” and the proclamation of the famous three Rs-Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Recon-struction. So passionate about the continued peaceful co-existence of the country,
Gowon once admonished Nigerians to Go On With One Nigeria, a slogan that gained currency in the period of the civil until the pains of the war became totally expunged from the psyche of Nigerians who, despite all odds, have chosen to stay together.
In the not too distant past, I witnessed General Gowon’s uncommon humility during the last Sokoto Caliphate Bicentenary in 2004.
Given the large turnout of VIPs at the historic event, the Sultanate Council for convenience constituted two groups with General Gowon leading Group A, the group going southwards to the Gwandu Emirate with the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Colonel Mustapha Jokolo(Rtd) being the Tour Guide. While coming out of a monument at Sifawa, Emir Jokolo who was conducting the delegation round in the tradition of military discipline paused at the gate, stood at attention and requested the General to lead the team out of the premises. But the charming General in deference to the traditional institution, in his characteristic military voice quickly commanded the Colonel to lead the troops.  As a loyal officer, Jokolo replied his Commander-In-Chief that he could not resist his directives which he carried out to the letter to the admiration of everybody present.
What this brief encounter indicated is that whether in or out of power, the quintessential officer and gentleman still commands respect and loyalty from his subordinates. As the General marked his 80th birthday yesterday, I join millions of Nigerians to say happy birthday to my hero.

Ibrahim Mohammed, Bello Anache Road, Funtua, Katsina State <[email protected]>;