General Yakubu Gowon Publishes Autobiography Detailing Post-Colonial Nigerian Leadership

General Yakubu Gowon, who led Nigeria during a tumultuous period from 1966 to 1975, has authored a new autobiography titled 'MY LIFE OF DUTY AND ALLEGIANCE.' Published in Nigeria in his 92nd year, the nearly 900-page book delves into the nation's growth from independence in 1960, a period often seen as representing unrealized potential for Africa.

The narrative structure eschews strict chronology, with chapters focusing on critical events and decisions in Gowon's life and career. This approach, the author suggests, enhances the book's historical veracity and intellectual engagement. Notably, the autobiography begins with a reflective chapter on his removal from office, rather than his ascent to power.

Gowon recounts his early life as the son of a missionary evangelist in Northern Nigeria, detailing an upbringing that instilled values of moral integrity and respect for order. These principles, he explains, guided his responses to national service as a military officer, particularly after he was persuaded to restore discipline in the armed forces following a coup in which he played no part.

The book offers Gowon's detailed account of controversial historical events, including the breakdown of the Aburi Accord, which preceded the Nigerian civil war. While acknowledging that his views may still spark disagreement, he presents them with convincing detail from his perspective. The author's primary aim, it appears, is to provide a fair depiction of his experiences as a leader navigating the complexities of post-colonial West Africa, a role he inherited unexpectedly.