Nigeria’s former Head of State, General (Rtd) Yakubu Gowon has declared that the country is not only surviving but thriving, 55 years after the end of the civil war.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Gowon reflected on his post-war policy of “no victor, no vanquished,” defending its long-term impact on national unity and national progress.
“Well, thriving…isn’t Nigeria thriving today? Have we not gone beyond what we were 55 years ago?” he asked.
“Certainly, I did not mean that things will be absolutely perfect… but at least we have survived as a country, improving at every stage to where we are.”
Pressed on whether survival equates to genuine healing and development, Gowon insisted that the eastern region — most affected by the war — has made visible strides in recovery and growth.
“There is great progress happening in the East. I certainly did not try to stop development. Things are improving as time goes on.”
Addressing criticism over the use of oil revenue during his administration, Gowon defended his government’s handling of post-war resources. He said much of the funds generated during the oil boom were directed towards rebuilding and reintegrating affected areas.
“We ensured those resources were used for reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration, what we called the three Rs,” he said.
“We restored damaged schools, hospitals and infrastructure in the East and other affected parts of the country.”
On the 1975 “cement scandal,” in which excessive cement orders allegedly overwhelmed Nigeria’s port capacity, he dismissed the narrative as false and misinformed.
“That was virtually before my overthrow. There was a global shortage of cement and a glut of shipping.
We tried to secure cement from several countries but couldn’t. People assumed we ordered more than our ports could handle, but that was a false allegation.”
Asked on how he would like to be remembered, he said,
“I want to be remembered as someone who loves his country, Nigeria, who loves Nigerians and who prays that if I cannot fight it, at least I can pray for Nigeria to continue to be a country that all of us would love.”
The elder statesman ended on a light note, referencing news that US President Donald Trump might advocate visa bans for Nigerians.
“Well, today I heard that Trump says that Nigeria might be one of those countries that they are going to deny visa.
So it meant I cannot go to America anymore. Well, it means that I should try to make my country better than America so that I can stay in Nigeria.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
