General Gowon: A Mentor and Role Model, Says Theophilus Danjuma

ThisDay, a prominent Nigerian newspaper, features a heartfelt tribute from Theophilus Danjuma to General Yakubu Gowon, a pivotal figure in Nigeria's history. The occasion is the public presentation of Gowon's autobiography, an event that allows for reflection on his enduring legacy.

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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.

Danjuma, a former military chief himself, emphasizes Gowon's crucial role as Commander-in-Chief during the Nigerian Civil War. He specifically commends Gowon's "No victor, no vanquished" slogan and the subsequent "reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation" policies, which were instrumental in healing the nation's wounds and fostering unity. This perspective is deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, where the Civil War remains a defining moment.

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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.

Beyond his national leadership, Danjuma shares a deeply personal connection, recounting how Gowon served as a mentor and role model since their youth. This personal narrative underscores Gowon's profound and lasting impact, not just on the nation but on individuals who served under him. The article, through Danjuma's words, celebrates a leader whose commitment to a united and prosperous Nigeria continues to inspire, even through his "Nigeria Prays" initiative for moral rebirth.

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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.