Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has described Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon as a refined and uncontroversial public figure with unwavering commitment to national unity and integrity.
In a statement on the occasion of Gowon’s 90th birthday anniversary on Friday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election joined Nigerians and others to celebrate this great statesman who had demonstrated leadership acumen, finesse and sagacity in handling the Nigerian civil war.
According to Atiku in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe on Friday, “healing the wounds of the civil war through national reconciliation was one of General Gowon’s greatest and indelible achievements.”
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He explained that the introduction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a shining example of Gowon’s commitment to national integration by encouraging our youths from different cultural backgrounds to interact with other people outside their own ethnic zones.
“Happily, the NYSC has gone a long way to encourage intermarriages, thereby breaking down the barriers of cultural, ethnic and religious prejudices,” Atiku added.
The former vice president also recalled that the impact of General Gowon’s national development plan in building infrastructure to boost economic development is still visible on the ground.
Similarly, Gowon was instrumental in the founding of one of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has helped in forging socioeconomic economic and political integration in the sub region.
He further praised Gowon’s humility and integrity, saying that his modesty and simplicity are some of the remarkable virtues for which he is widely respected.
He prays to the Almighty God to continue to bless him with a longer life and good health in the service of humanity.
