Gen Gowon At 90: Leaders Urged To Embrace Integrity, Good Governance

Leaders across the three tiers of government have been urged to emulate the virtues of integrity and good governance of Rtd. General Yakubu Gowon was inspired in his 9years of leadership when he served as the Former Head of State of Nigeria.

This was a consensus charge by prominent Nigerians who spoke to Voice of Nigeria on Saturday during the 90th Birthday Banquet organised in honour of the Former Nigerian Leader, Rtd General Yakubu Gowon, at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo noted that Rtd Gen. Gowon’s leadership remains indelible for leaders in Nigeria to adopt.

He lauded the education policies of the Former Head of State adding that it benefitted the most vulnerable of the country at the time.

The Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, said Nigeria has become a global example of restoration of peace after a civil war following the commitment and sacrifices of the former Leader,  Gen. Gowon.

Describing his impact and influence on the country, El-Rufai said that General Gowon had dedicated his time after retirement from office to uniting Nigeria as well as the West African sub-region. 

“For me, General Gowon has been an inspiration since then his humility and maturity at a young age kept the country together prosecuting a war of brothers which ended with no Victor no vanquish, we remain indelible in our history and Nigeria has become a global example on how to restore peace immediately after a civil war.

“General Gowon will remain one of our most revered statesmen he not only kept our country together but he united the West African sub-region he is the only surviving founder of the signatories for the creation of ECOWAS.

“He has set a standard of integrity and good governance that every Nigerian Leader should aspire to,”  the former governor added.

El-Rufai tasked leaders at all levels to emulate principles of integrity and good governance saying leadership is more of service to the people and not spinning personal gains.

The Former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, urged leaders in Nigeria to be leaders for all, he listed the secret of leadership to include the love of God and the love for the people.

The qualities he stated that the celebrant, Rtd General Gowon represents.

Maku further tasked leaders to also adopt the style of working with all categories of Nigerians irrespective of their age, ethnicity, religion and tribe bias.

“The problem we have is that there is no sufficient love of our country in many leaders, if you love Nigeria you will not hide the wealth of the nation in another man’s country.

“Leaders are unique, leaders in Nigeria should learn from Rtd Gen Yakubu Gowon’s fear of God, from his peace, his simplicity and his humility, his capacity to work with all categories of people, he brought them together to guide him in leading the nation in the time of crisis, they should open doors to people who can help.”

He also emphasised the place of good governance affirming that it is the only key to repositioning Nigeria to reclaim its pride of place among the committees of the nation.

“From local government to the Federal level we need to infuse sincerity and integrity it is only the love of Nigerians and the love of God that will make any leader succeed.

“So I will urge leaders in Nigeria to be leaders for all,” Labaran Maku added.

Former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Adamu Muazu, described Rtd. General Gowon is an embodiment of patriotism, humility and simplicity.

He noted that the Nigerian enigma and colossus of the African continent, General

Gowon has worked so hard in uniting Nigeria in the past years.