Yakubu Gowon is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975
When Yakubu Gowon, a retired General and former Nigeria head of state who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, celebrated his 90th birthday in 2024, tributes poured in from every corner of the nation.
From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to former leaders and traditional rulers, everyone paid glowing homage to the man often referred to as the ”Architect of one Nigeria.”
President Tinubu, in his message to Gowon on his 90th birthday, praised his efforts at reconciliation and nation building.
In a statement, he praised the elder statesman for his exceptional leadership, dedication and enduring legacy both within and outside Nigeria.
Describing Gowon as “a gentleman extraordinaire,” Tinubu highlighted his significant contributions during his tenure as Nigeria’s head of state, noting that Gowon’s leadership was marked by a strong commitment to national unity, infrastructure development, and post-civil war reconciliation.
“Gowon is a gentleman extraordinaire, one of the longest-serving Nigerian leaders. He did a lot for our country and served meritoriously in various capacities within and outside the military,” Tinubu said.
“After the country’s civil war, his philosophy of ‘No victor, no vanquished’ helped promote national healing, peace, and reconciliation,” he added.
President Tinubu also lauded Gowon’s role in establishing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975, calling it one of his greatest legacies.
Beyond his tenure as Nigeria’s leader, Tinubu praised Gowon’s pursuit of knowledge and commitment to public service, particularly through his “Nigeria Prays” initiative, which promotes peace and intercession for the nation.
“His life outside the office is also remarkable. After his stewardship of the country, he acquired more knowledge, demonstrating that age and status are never barriers to seeking to be the best we can be,” the President noted.
“We thank Gowon for his leadership and his labour of service to Nigeria. His sterling example remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for us in government,” the President said.
President Tinubu expressed his prayers for continued wisdom, good health, and long life for Gowon, urging that his contributions to Nigeria and humanity endure for many more years.
“We will continue to cherish his wisdom and wise counseling.
“I pray that God Almighty will imbue Gowon with more wisdom and grant him good health and more years to continue to be useful to Nigeria and humanity,” he added.
Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto who chaired a public lecture held in Abuja in honour of Gowon on his 90th birthday, said the former head of state fought very hard to keep the country united and must be celebrated.
He said that Gowon’s life was worthy of emulation, praying for the former head of state to live beyond 100 years and in good health.
Olusegun Obasanjo, GoodLuck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari also joined other prominent figures in celebrating the former Head of State on his 90th birthday. The leaders, who also governed Nigeria at different times, sent in their congratulatory messages, praising Gowon’s role in preserving the unity of the country during the civil war and his continued commitment to peace and nation-building.
But what is the worth of these encomiums when your hometown is consistently on fire?
While President Tinubu is still in office and the killings continue unabated. Neither Obasanjo, Jonathan nor Buhari was able to stop the bloodshed in the state during their stay in office, a grim reality that persists even as they honor Gowon’s legacy.
The contrast between national celebration and local tragedy underscores the deep and unresolved security crisis that has plagued the Middle Belt for years, raising questions about the effectiveness of past leadership in protecting vulnerable communities.
Gowon, who led the country through the brutal Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), is widely remembered for his “No victor, no vanquished” policy, which aimed to heal a fractured nation. He was just 32 years old when he assumed leadership, yet he navigated one of the most challenging periods in Nigeria’s history.
However, while Nigeria honor the former head of state, his native Plateau State, particularly its rural communities, has continued to suffer bloodshed, displacement, and systemic neglect. For over two decades, the state has endured cycles of violence that have claimed thousands of lives, leaving many to wonder whether Gowon’s legacy is truly being honored.
The most horrific of these attacks in recent memory was the Christmas Eve massacre of December 24, 2023, which saw over 200 people killed in coordinated assaults on villages in Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas. The attackers razed homes and left entire communities in ruins.
The cycle repeated itself. On April 2, 2025, another massacre took place in Bokkos LGA, over 50 people were killed in cold blood. This was followed less than two weeks later by anvother attack, this time in Iregwe Chiefdom, Bassa LGA where 51 more people were slaughtered on April 13.
What is particularly disturbing to many Nigerians is that the April 13 attack occurred shortly after a high-profile visit to the state by the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police. Their visits were meant to reassure residents that the federal government had their safety in mind. Instead, these assurances were followed by yet another bloodbath.
“After the visits, we thought we could sleep with our eyes closed. But what we got was another night of horror,” said a youth leader in Iregwe Chiefdom who pleaded anonymity.
These repeated tragedies have sparked a growing national conversation about the sincerity of Nigeria’s leadership when it comes to protecting all citizens particularly those from regions plagued by long-standing conflict.
It has also raised uncomfortable questions about the legacy of Gowon. Can the nation claim to honor his contributions while doing little to halt the destruction of his people?
Gowon has never openly criticized any administration, choosing instead to serve as a quiet elder statesman. His post-office years have been marked by advocacy for peace, prayer, and national unity.
Yet many believe that silence from the state in the face of continuous violence against his kinsmen is not only disrespectful but deeply ironic.
“It’s painful that the man who fought to keep Nigeria one has to watch his own people being killed like animals, year after year,” said another resident of Jos, who spoke to BusinessDay on condition of anonymity.
The violence in Plateau is not new. Since 2001, hundreds of attacks have been carried out, mostly attributed to herders, bandits, and ethnic militias. Entire generations have grown up under the shadow of war.
Each administration has promised peace. Each has failed.
In many of these cases, the response from federal authorities has been reactive, not preventive. Security agents are deployed after the fact, and communities are left to mourn without justice or lasting solutions.
Beyond sympathy, Plateau people are demanding action. They want real security, arrests, prosecutions, and most importantly, peace.
They also want recognition not just of their pain, but of their humanity. For too long, rural communities in Plateau have been treated as statistics in press releases, not as people who matter.
As the nation continues to shower Gowon with accolades, perhaps, the most fitting tribute would be to protect what he holds most dear, his people and the unity of Nigeria he gave so much to preserve.
Until then, the contradiction remains stark: a nation that celebrates its hero while failing his homeland. A hero whose legacy is painted in honor, while his people’s blood soaks the soil of the very land he once fought to unite. It is a contradiction that Nigeria must confront and urgently too.
