Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has described the autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, as a vital national document capable of shaping Nigeria’s future, strengthening regional cooperation and promoting national unity.
The president made the remarks on Tuesday during the public presentation of Gowon’s memoir, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the reflections of leaders who experienced defining moments in the country’s history remain essential for deepening democratic stability and preserving national cohesion.
According to the President, the memoir should be widely circulated across Nigeria because it serves as a civic inheritance for all citizens.
He warned against neglecting historical memory, saying nations that fail to learn from their past risk division and uncertainty.
“A nation that misplaces its memory soon begins to quarrel with its own reflection. A society without memory becomes an orphan in time,” the President stated.
Tinubu noted that the book comes at a critical period when Nigeria and other West African nations are grappling with insecurity, economic challenges and social fragmentation, stressing that Gowon’s lessons on reconciliation and statesmanship remain relevant.
He commended Gowon’s post-civil war reconciliation efforts, especially the “No victor, no vanquished” declaration, which he described as a major factor in preserving Nigeria’s unity after the civil war.
The President said peace and national healing can only be sustained through deliberate policies anchored on trust, inclusion and equal citizenship.
“The decisions of that period cannot be understood by those who examine them with the arrogance of comfort. Every generation that inherits peace must learn to speak gently about the choices made in the season of peril,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps as one of the enduring legacies of Gowon’s administration, noting that the programme has continued to bridge ethnic, cultural and religious divides among Nigerians.
He added that Gowon’s life remains a strong response to divisive narratives that attempt to define Nigeria along regional or religious lines.
“His story teaches us that the Nigerian project becomes stronger when a citizen refuses to become a weapon in the hands of sectarian entrepreneurs,” the President added.
On regional integration, Tinubu praised Gowon’s role in the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States, describing ECOWAS as one of Africa’s most important institutions for economic cooperation and collective security.
He said the founding vision of the regional bloc remains important as West Africa confronts terrorism, political instability and economic disruption.
“We need cooperation against insecurity. We need trade that empowers our young people. We need diplomacy that prevents conflict from becoming contagion,” he said.
Tinubu further described Gowon as a statesman whose commitment to peace, unity and national service has remained impactful long after leaving office.
Speaking earlier, Gowon said the memoir was not written to settle scores or judge anyone, but to present his personal account of events that shaped both his life and Nigeria’s history.
He explained that he felt compelled to tell his story because his personal journey became deeply intertwined with the nation’s development.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the former Head of State urged Nigerians not to listen to “naysayers,” insisting that Nigeria would overcome its present challenges just as it survived difficult periods during his administration.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who chaired the event, described the memoir as a valuable reflection on one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history.
Jonathan commended Gowon’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria, noting that several legacies of his administration continue to shape national development.
He added that memoirs such as My Life of Duty and Allegiance are important for preserving institutional memory and helping Nigerians better understand critical decisions in the country’s history.
Reviewing the book, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, described it as a vivid account of Nigeria’s turbulent past, including the civil war and Gowon’s personal experiences.
Kukah said the publication offers useful insights into major events during Gowon’s tenure, while acknowledging that autobiographies often reflect personal perspectives rather than complete historical accounts.
He also prayed for Nigeria’s unity and progress, expressing confidence in the country’s future.
In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Havilah Group, Akogun Lanre Adesuyi, described biographies and autobiographies as important tools for preserving history and promoting thought leadership.
He said publishing Gowon’s autobiography was a major contribution to documenting Nigeria’s historical development and described the book as essential reading for students and historians.
Among dignitaries present at the event were former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former First Lady Patience Jonathan, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa.
Others are Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, alongside serving and retired military officers, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
