Even from a close range, his age would easily be a subject for arguments, even bets. The reason for this is simple: there are several of his mates whose appearances have not hidden how many Christmases they have witnessed, but not this suave, soft-spoken yet nail-hard apostle of peace.
Yakubu Gowon’s foray into the club of octogenarians has seen heaps upon heaps of encomiums being loaded on his person, and one does not need to look far to see the reason for this. As one of those whose names would stand indelible in the history of the unity and stability of Nigeria, the fact that his policies and stand during the country’s trying times would be viewed with mixed feelings and reactions does not take away the substance of his lofty ideals, sense of unity and integration, and communal vision he had for his dearly beloved country, to say the least.
But beyond all the adulation accorded him on this august occasion, not many have bothered to observe the role of the God factor in the life of the peacemaker. As a matter of fact, that has been the underlying drive behind the successes, lofty heights and even his wide acclaim as far as the country is concerned. Looking at his life and times, it is easy to remember, for those conversant with the dynamics of spiritual rules of engagement, what service to the Lord bequeaths on a man and his generation, down to the third and fourth. It will even become more explicit when we get to know that his father was an active missionary, involved in planting churches and disseminating the Word of God here and there. The lifestyle of the former head of state is instructive and informative to his background and the manner of training and upbringing he received as a child. To illustrate this point, it would be necessary to recap his advent into the Nigerian Army.
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It was at the period when joining the army after high school was the most attractive, sensible and promising thing to do, yet he first wrote the disciplines he had interests in – teaching, medicine, engineering, and the army – on a piece of paper, and committed the decision-making to God. He next did a lucky dip after the prayer, and the lot fell on joining the army eventually. Only people who are schooled on the purpose of God for their lives subject their lives to this kind of divine approval and scrutiny.
The divine hold on his life reflected on the discharge of his duties when he finally acceded to the throne of head of state which was imposed on him by junior officers who knew no better than to do their utmost to insist that he ruled over them, even nearly resulting in a mutiny in the process. I do not imagine that anyone would go to such extent for someone who is insensitive, indifferent, mean, self-serving, and anything but humane, humble and kind. Respect and regard for age, position and experience is one of the fundamental injunctions of the scriptures, and this was largely brought to bear in his administration, in the filling his cabinet with sages, elders and men of repute, notably, Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Anthony Enahoro, Shehu Shagari, etc. It is possible to fear someone without having respect for him, but not Gowon, who earned both the trust and respect of his subordinates. Even when the war broke out, the human face with which he prosecuted it, contrary to the conventional ways of handling secession, belied his soft stance on the matter. He even called it ‘a disagreement between brothers’. Anyone who remembers the fact that he was liberating states and towns with one helicopter shelling and bombing, and another following closely behind, dropping food and other forms of victuals, would not argue with his stance on how it was approached. Only on the advice of his deputy did he stop the humanitarian side of his approach, and the effect of that is there for all to see.
His post-war rehabilitation was of the most accommodating and selfless definitions. The fact that he prosecuted a 30-month war without borrowing a kobo should serve as a lesson and instruction. His ‘no victor, no vanquished’ protocol, the ‘3R’ doctrine, and the management violation is a case for ethnic and tribal study. The Asaba massacre and genocide remain a focal view for the Gowon era. A good and godly man in the midst of wickedness may suffer dent, but the spiritual dictates and dynamics would be there to create reception for him. He represents an excellent window of kindness. His visit to Edith Ike Okongwu in her LUTH hospital bed with his wife to ask for forgiveness speaks volumes of his Christian faith.
When the scriptures speak of the dividends of a righteous life, it could not have been more aptly practicalised than in the life of the architect and father of modern Nigeria, whose successors on that exalted position have given the people reason time and again to reminisce on the good old days with deep sigh. Everything about his conduct, comportment, administration and private life reeks invitingly of godliness, modesty, contentment, and gentleness in the strictest of modes.
General Yakubu Gowon is a beacon, and he has no option but to reap the irreprehensible benefits. The local and international acclaim his government received, and is still receiving, is just a microcosm of the prophetic voice that has heralded and governed his life. The relevance he enjoys, even 32 years after he hung his administrative boots, does not come off as a surprise at all. The scriptures state that the righteous will bring forth fruit in their old age, and will be fat and flourishing. Is it possible for someone who has lived his life praying not to have the swagger of a 50-year-old at 80 and counting? The answer is blowing in the wind.
General Yakubu ‘Jack’ Gowon will continue to stand tall among the crop of leaders and administrators this nation has ever produced, and will continue to be a testament to the way to go for our leaders and occupiers of positions of authority. More grace to this living legend at 80.
Ike Willie Nwobu
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