Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says the 90th birthday of Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state, is a “national celebration”.
Speaking at a public lecture held on Friday to mark the event, Obasanjo expressed gratitude to God for Gowon’s life, noting that “90 no be joke o”.
“One is that this is a national celebration, and you are worthy to be nationally celebrated while you are still alive,” Obasanjo said.
“I look at the galaxy of distinguished men and women around. Only very few of them can claim to be eyewitnesses to your time in government, not to mention your time in the army.
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“And because, by the grace of God, who has given you the longevity of life and granted me a little to follow you, I will just thank God on your behalf that God has made you to be 90.”
Also speaking at the event, Muhammadu Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and chairman of the occasion, said Gowon’s life and contributions to the country are worthy of emulation.
According to Abubakar, Gowon fought tirelessly for the unity of Nigeria during his time as head of state.
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He said Nigeria is fortunate to have a statesman like Gowon live such a long and healthy life.
“He laid the foundation for continuity and stability, we owe him immense gratitude for the perseverance and tenacity in keeping this country in one piece and at peace with itself,” the sultan said.
“Nigeria is exceptionally lucky to have a statesman of his age in full consciousness. Not many countries are really lucky to have such a statesman live this long and in relatively good health.”
President Bola Tinubu also praised Gowon’s “no victor, no vanquished” philosophy, stating that it helped Nigeria heal after the civil war.
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