Former head of state Yakubu Gowon (rtd has described the Nigerian Civil War period (from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970) as the most difficult period of his life.
Mr Gowon made this known on Saturday in Abuja after being honoured with a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Abuja Anglican Diocese.
“I always remember the civil war. It was the most difficult period of my life,” said Mr Gowon. “It was not my choice, but I had to be there and had to do what I did in order to keep this country together.”
He explained that his decisions during the civil war were never driven by hatred but by a difficult necessity to preserve national unity.
Mr Gowon urged people to always stand for the truth and stressed the need for forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity across faiths and ethnicities.
“It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you,” he stated.
Reflecting on life after that period, the former head of state stressed that his decisions had often been guided by prayers and a desire to act with integrity and compassion.
“I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way he thinks it should be done, with love and respect for all the people.
“That is why, in the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” he added.
Mr Gowon also lauded the progress Nigeria has made since the civil war and called on all citizens to support the government’s efforts to uphold peace, love, and mutual respect.
The chairman of the occasion, former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by John-Kennedy Opara, former executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, congratulated the honourees for their consistency in living with integrity.
He said, “These men have touched lives, and God has used them in different ways to touch the nation. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
The primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the convention, commended the honourees and urged Christians to uphold truth, integrity, and courage.
Mr Ndukuba added that Nigeria needed men and women of honour and integrity, leaders willing to serve the people and not corruptly pile up wealth.
(NAN)