Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, saying many of the policies introduced during his administration remain highly relevant to Nigeria’s development.
Jonathan made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja while chairing the public presentation of Gowon’s autobiography, ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance.’
He described Gowon as a courageous leader who assumed office at one of the most difficult periods in Nigeria’s history and successfully steered the country through the Nigerian Civil War.
“Many people can be good leaders when the environment is stable. It is during periods of crisis that true leadership is revealed.
“General Gowon, at a very young age, led this country through a major civil war whose effects are still with us today. Yet, despite the pain and divisions of that era, he remained committed to preserving national unity and demonstrated remarkable magnanimity with his declaration of ‘No victor, no vanquished.’ That philosophy laid the foundation for healing, reconstruction and reintegration,” Jonathan said.
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The ex-president noted that Gowon would be remembered not only for his wartime leadership but also for enduring policies and major infrastructure projects introduced during his administration.
He singled out the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), established in 1973, as one of Gowon’s most significant legacies.
“The NYSC was created to reorient young Nigerians and foster national unity by enabling them to live and work in different parts of the country.
“Although we have not fully achieved that vision, because some politicians still speak as though Nigeria were in the pre-1914 era, the initiative was a bold and far-sighted policy,” he said.
Jonathan shared a personal recollection of how two NYSC members posted to his secondary school in 1973 greatly influenced his academic development.
According to him, the teachers, Mr Balogun and Mr Ojukwu, taught core science subjects and played a significant role in shaping his education.
“So, the vision of the NYSC was great, and we will continue to celebrate you,” he said.
The former president also highlighted Gowon’s role in the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States, describing it as another enduring policy initiative that continues to promote regional integration and cooperation.
“These are policies that will continue to reform society. These are policies that will endure,” Jonathan said.
He also stressed the importance of leaders documenting their experiences, noting that memoirs such as Gowon’s help preserve institutional memory and enrich public understanding of governance and leadership.
Jonathan commended Gowon for his continued contributions to national development long after leaving office.
“Through initiatives such as Nigeria Prays and other peace-building engagements, he has shown that true leadership does not end with political authority. It continues in service to humanity,” he said.
He added that Gowon’s autobiography comes at a particularly important time, as nations around the world grapple with division, insecurity and political polarisation.
“There is much that contemporary leaders and future generations can learn from the experiences captured in this book, especially the virtues of patience, restraint, dialogue, courage and reconciliation,” Jonathan said.
The former president also hinted that he may document his own experiences in the future.
