The Chairman, Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu on Sunday urged Nigerians to celebrate General Yakubu Gowon’s 80th birthday remembering why we must ‘Go-On-With-One-Nigeria.’
Aliyu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije said, Gowon would be remembered as an “Apostle of Peace” adding that Nigeria was indeed fortunate to have him as Head of State during the civil war.
He said Gowon’s role in “Reconstructing, Rehabilitating and Rebuilding Nigeria and the ‘no victor, no vanquish’ position on the civil war helped Nigeria to heal quickly from the injuries of the war, calling on Nigerians to insist on ‘one Nigeria’ regardless of our challenges.”
He said, “We cannot forget the selfless leadership role played by Gen. Gowon during the civil war era. Perhaps it would have been worse if he was ethno-religiously based. He stood for unity, he stood for justice and he is indeed a role model for future generation of leaders to come.
“For me, Gowon is one of the best things to have happened to Nigeria especially during the civil war era. He is still relevant even at 80 praying for the continuous unity and progress of Nigeria. We must therefore celebrate his birthday, remembering the sacrifice many Nigerians have made to keep Nigeria from disintegrating.”
The Northern Governors Forum therefore frowned at some misguided Nigerians calling for a splinter Nigeria at the slightest provocation. They insist notable Nigerians have paid dearly to prevent the unity of the country just flake off like sand before the wind.
