Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised former Head of State Yakubu Gowon for his leadership during and after the Nigerian Civil War, describing Gowon’s famous “no victor, no vanquished” declaration as a defining step toward national healing and reconciliation.
Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the launch of Gowon’s autobiography, which he described as “a living testimony” of leadership, nation-building, and statesmanship.
“Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of a book. It is the presentation of a living testimony.
“It is a reflection of a leader who stood at the centre of some of the defining moments in our national journey,” Jonathan said.
The former president stated that the autobiography provides valuable insight into military leadership, peace building, governance, and the challenges of managing a diverse nation like Nigeria.
“The Nigerian autobiography offers not only a personal account of military strategy and leadership, but also one of the big insights into the challenges of nationhood, reconciliation, peace building, and statesmanship,” he said.
Reflecting on the Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970, Jonathan described the conflict as one of the darkest periods in the country’s history but commended Gowon’s approach to reconciliation after the war.
“The years of the civil war from 1967 to 1970 remain among the most painful chapters of our national experience.
“Yet, this historical record is committed to the realisation of national unity and perhaps more importantly, the unanimity at the end of this conflict embodied in the enduring declaration of ‘no victor, no vanquished’.
“The declaration laid the foundation for healing, reconstruction and reintegration at a time when victims and witnesses would have been in pain,” he said.
Jonathan also praised Gowon for introducing policies that transformed Nigeria, particularly the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps.
“In Nigeria, the establishment of the NYSC was one key policy that today remains in place,” he said.
According to Jonathan, the NYSC scheme helped foster national unity while addressing the shortage of teachers in rural schools during its early years.
Recalling his personal experience, the former president said he benefited directly from the programme as a student.
“I remember in 1973, I was in class three in secondary school when the third batch of the NYSC came.
“In those days, it was so difficult to get graduate teachers to teach in secondary schools, especially schools that were not in the cities,” he said.
Jonathan explained that two corps members posted to his school taught him Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology, contributing significantly to his education and academic development.
“So the vision of the NYSC is great and will continue to be great,” he added.
The former president further commended Gowon for his continued commitment to peace, national unity, interfaith harmony, and youth development decades after leaving office.
“General Gowon has continued to distinguish himself through decades of public service and advocacy for peace.
“His commitment to national unity, interfaith harmony, and youth development has remained steadfast long after leaving office,” Jonathan said.
He also stressed the importance of autobiographies and memoirs in preserving Nigeria’s history and helping younger generations understand the realities and burdens of leadership during difficult periods.
“As younger generations study our nation’s history, it is important that they hear directly from those who bore the burden of leadership during critical times.
“By sharing his stories, General Gowon has once again rendered another important service to Nigeria and the historical record of Africa,” he stated.
