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Revealed! Civil War Was Never Targeted Hatred Against Any People- Gowon Confesses
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Ex- Hed of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on Saturday in Abuja said the Nigerian Civil War was never driven by hatred, but by a difficult necessity to preserve national unity.
Speaking at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, Gowon emphasized the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity across faiths and ethnicities.
“I remember the most difficult period of my life. It was not my choice, but I had to be there—and had to do what I had to—to keep this country together,” Gowon said after receiving a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award.
“It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you. Apart from that, there is love and respect between us.”
The former military leader, now 91, recalled personal losses during the war, including the death of his friend, Major Arthur Unegbe, for whom he served as best man.
Reflecting on life after that era, he stressed that his decisions have been guided by prayer and a desire to act with integrity and compassion.
“As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers. I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with the love and respect from all the people.
“That is why, at the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” ,” he added.
Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba presents lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award to former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja. Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Gowon praised 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.
“This is my prayer, and I ask your prayers for Nigeria so that we can continue to unite and live together as one people, irrespective of our faith, whether Christian, Muslim, or unbelievers.”
Alongside General Gowon, the Christian Men’s Fellowship honoured two other distinguished Nigerians.
Dr. Christopher Kolade, 93, a respected diplomat, corporate executive, broadcaster, and academic; and Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, CON, 95, a renowned former federal permanent secretary often described as a “super permanent secretary” for his pioneering work in Nigeria’s civil service.
The awards were presented in recognition of their exemplary service to the Church, the nation, and humanity.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the convention, urged Christian men to uphold truth, integrity, and courage.
“The Lord is still in search of men of honour and integrity,” he said, referencing the “four Hs” that define godly men, heart, head, habit, and humility.
His wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild, commended the honourees as “men of courage” who have lived honourably in an age of moral decline.
“Despite their age, they have stood strong for the Lord and His Church,” she said.
In a tribute delivered on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. John-Kennedy Opara, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, praised the honourees for their consistency in living with integrity.
“These men have touched lives, and God has used them in different ways to touch the nation,” he said.
Quoting Psalm 25:14, he added: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
Former executive secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, described Gowon as “a son of a clergy who inherited integrity and forgiveness,” noting that despite presiding over Nigeria during the height of its oil boom, he refused to enrich himself.
“He uncharacteristically left office without even building a personal house,” Bogoro remarked.
The CMF convention brought together Christian men from across the Diocese of Abuja and beyond, focusing on the theme ‘‘Men of Honour: Living with Integrity in a Culture of Deceit’’, Psalm 15: 1-5.
The Bishop of Ilesa, the Rt, Rev Prof Dapo Asaju, was the guest speaker on the theme of the convention.
The Delta State Government has announced the indefinite suspension of Hon.Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, Commissioner for Works (Highway and Urban Roads) with immediate effect.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, the suspension is to enable the Security Agencies carry out an unbiased investigation of allegations associating him with the assault on the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi also known as (Temple) at the Petroleum Training Institute(PTI) Effurun,recently.
The statement added that the State Government remains committed to the maintenance of public safety in all circumstances which guarantees law and order and the sanctity of lives.This position is upheld even when institutions of state are involved.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr Peter Odey, has reportedly escaped an accident involving his convoy in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 2pm on Sunday while Odey and his entourage were returning to Calabar from Obanliku Local Government Area, where they had attended a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed concession of the Obudu Ranch Resort.Government Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.
Although the condition of the deputy governor could not be independently confirmed as of press time, several members of his convoy were reportedly injured in the crash.
A Government House press bus conveying some appointees and staff attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor was said to have veered off its lane near an Army checkpoint in Ugep before crashing into three sandbag barricades.News One of the occupants, whose identity was not immediately known, reportedly sustained an injury to the leg, while another was said to have suffered bleeding from the nose.
The extent of the injuries could not be immediately ascertained, as those involved were expected to undergo medical assessment.History Sources also disclosed that several vehicles were damaged in the accident, although the extent of the damage remained unclear.Lakes & Rivers The incident is reportedly the third accident involving the deputy governor’s convoy in the past two months, raising concerns over the condition and availability of vehicles attached to his office.
Further checks indicated that the fleet attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor had been depleted, with vehicles from the governor’s convoy reportedly being deployed for official movements when necessary. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Governor declined to comment on the incident when contacted. Further details on the crash, including the condition of the deputy governor and other persons involved, were still being awaited as authorities assess the incident.
The Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest by women in the state against what they considered “indiscriminate arrest and violence” ahead of Saturday’s guber election.
Adeleke, who was joined by women from different groups of traders and artisans in the state, led the march, which commenced along the Osogbo-Ilobu Road and terminated at the road leading to the Osun State Police Command along the West Bypass.
Also present at the protest were the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Eniola Omotosho, among others.
The protesters, armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Election is not war,” “Stop indiscriminate arrest of our husbands,” “We want a free and fair election” and “Police must be neutral,” were prevented from proceeding to the main entrance of the command.
They were, however, attended to by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, who assured them that the command would address their concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adeleke said the women were on the streets to demand a peaceful election and called on the police to invite some notable chieftains of the All Progressives Congress for questioning over the rising incidents of violence in the state.
She said, “We are demanding a free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace; let there be peace. Invite APC chieftains for questioning. They should stop killing our husbands and children. Make them sign an undertaking. From what we heard, we learnt that they will start picking our leaders up this week.
Last Friday, they picked up the Commissioner for Environment. He was brought here, stripped naked. This is not good enough. They should leave our people alone.”
The governor’s wife subsequently presented a letter containing the protesters’ demands to the police commissioner.
Responding, Etaifo said the command had worked hard to de-escalate tension in the state since his arrival and assured the protesters that their demands would be considered.
“I have been here for the past two weeks. The IG was here because of the heightened tension in the state. For the first time in history, the IG directed the CP election to come three weeks to the election.
“If you notice, since I came, we have relative peace in the state, but the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace; it will cause tension again. Let us assume that you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet; what will happen?” Etaifo said.
He added, “We are going back and restrategising to attend to all your demands. Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election; we want peace. We cannot conduct an election in an insecure environment.
“I have a mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actor to exercise their franchise, and create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.”
Etaifo warned that the police would not tolerate any act capable of negatively affecting Saturday’s election, adding that anyone caught violating the law would be arrested and taken to Abuja.
“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst.
The IG and Nigeria will not forgive you. I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election; we must get it right,” he said.
The police commissioner commended the protesters for conducting a peaceful demonstration but urged them to return home to prevent any incident.
“I want to applaud you for this protest being peaceful, but I want to implore you to go back so that nothing will happen to you. I will assign my men to escort you back to where you started the protest from,” he said.
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