Former president, Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon
A former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, said Nigeria ‘will not fall’ despite mounting pressures, politically, economic and security wise.
He spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of his autobiography, ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance.’
The gathering evolved into a broader national conversation about leadership, memory, reconciliation and the anxieties surrounding Nigeria’s future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those present at the event includes; Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu; former President Goodluck Jonathan; elder statesman Theophilus Danjuma; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, who reviewed the book.
Gowon who focused on Nigeria and the need for growth, expressed worried about the future of the country he once led through war, uncertainty and near collapse.
“During my time as Head of State, the country did not fall, and I remain confident that despite all her challenges, Nigeria will still not fall,” he said.
The former military ruler warned against the desperation that increasingly defines Nigerian politics during election cycles.
“Today, Nigeria has once again entered another cycle of preparation toward the 2027 general elections. It goes without saying that we must all strive to contain the desperation frequently displayed by the political class, who engage in what they describe as ‘do-or-die politics,’ alongside their inability to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, even in matters as minor as intra-party contests,” he stressed.
Gowon said the autobiography was partly intended to address misconceptions surrounding his administration and the civil war years.
“My belief is that this book, ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance,’ will help correct misconceptions and fill the gaps in public narratives,” he said.
At another point during his remarks, Gowon reflected on the emotional burden of keeping the country together during the civil war years.
He said, “I remember reading in the pages of a newspaper: ‘Do you know the meaning of Gowon?’
“When I read the paper, I saw where it said: ‘The meaning of Gowon is Go On With One Nigeria.’
“It gave me renewed courage and determination to ensure that this country remained united.”
Earlier, former President Jonathan described the autobiography as more than a personal memoir, saying it represented a living account of some of the defining moments in Nigeria’s history.
He said, “Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of a book; it is the presentation of a living testimony.
“It reflects the life of a leader who stood at the centre of some of the defining moments in our national journey.”
Jonathan said Gowon assumed office at one of the country’s most dangerous periods and distinguished himself under extraordinary pressure.
“Many people can appear to be good leaders when circumstances are favourable. It is during moments of crisis that you truly distinguish the men from the boys,” he said.
“That philosophy laid the foundation for healing, reconstruction and reintegration at a time when bitterness and division could easily have prevailed,” he said.
Jonathan also praised the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, describing it as one of the most enduring legacies of the Gowon administration.
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