President Goodluck Jonathan has described a former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as a good example of an elder statesman and a true patriot that should be emulated by Nigerians.
Dr Jonathan was speaking on Sunday at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service in honour of General Gowon at the National Christian Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He commended General Gowon’s insistence on the unity of the country and the ‘three Rs’ of Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation that followed the Nigerian civil war.
President Jonathan said the General had been supportive of all administrations that came after his, especially with his pet programme Nigeria Prays Project, which has been used as an instrument for the good of Nigerians.
“After the war, General Gowon was not looking at the issue of defeating an opponent or crushing an opponent. But the issue of rebuilding a nation that was devastated due to unnecessary disagreement.
“After dropping the gun, he picked up to keep this country together. Immediately he left as a military Head of State, he picked the baton, the most formidable instrument for peace, and he came out with Nigeria Prays,” President Jonathan said.
With a processional hymn the thanksgiving service in honour of General Gowon started.
As he marks his 80th birthday, people from all walks of life were in church to hail the power that has sustained General Gowon all these 80 years.
Apart from the variety of songs that graced the occasion, there were prayers of worship and thanksgiving to God for giving Nigerians a man who fought to unite the great country called Nigeria.
He is seen as a man who was given to Nigerians as Head of State at the time the country was plunged into war in 1966.
Prayers for peace in Nigeria, Africa and the world were said by Cardinal John Onaiyekan.
Tributes to the celebrant, centred around General Gowons goodness, while the Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, in his sermon called on Nigerians to shun corruption at all levels if they wanted to be blessed same way.
Prayer were said for General Gowon, with a request that God will grant him many more years and indeed grant Nigerians that peace which he stood for all these years.
For Gowon, it is only faith in God that has kept him going, as his life is said to have shown that those who trust in the lord shall never be left behind.
