Gowon: Salute to a statesman @ 81

The name of General Gowon has become synonymous with Nigeria. In the last five decades since he came to power as a young military officer, his name has always been associated with one epochal event or the other. Since he was ousted out of power in a bloodless military putsch, the amiable and soft-spoken General […]

The name of General Gowon has become synonymous with Nigeria. In the last five decades since he came to power as a young military officer, his name has always been associated with one epochal event or the other.
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 hail from the Angas ethnic group of Plateau state even 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 will normally line up the streets in colourful attire to welcome their hero. 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 the famous declaration of “No Victor, No Vanquished” and the proclamation of the famous three R’s-Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. 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 60s, 70s, and 80,s 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, yours sincerely witnessed General Gowon’s uncommon humility during the last Sokoto Caliphate Bicentenary in 2004. Given the large turn-out 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 alas! 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 latter to the admiration of everybody present. 
What this brief encounter indicates is that whether in or out of power, the quintessential officer and gentleman still commands respect and loyalty from his subordinates. As the indefatigable general celebrate his 81st birthday today, I join millions of Nigerians to say hip hip hurray. Happy Birthday to my Hero.
Ibrahim Mohammed,
No 33, Bello Anache Road, Funtua, Katsina State