Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Board of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has joined millions of Nigerians and the international community in celebrating former Head of State, General (Dr.) Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, on the momentous occasion of his 91st birthday.
In a powerful tribute personally signed by him, Dogara extolled General Gowon as one of Africa’s most iconic statesmen — a man of uncommon courage, rare humility, and enduring faith, whose name remains synonymous with unity, peace, and sacrificial leadership.
Dogara described General Gowon as a stabilizing force and moral giant who stood tall in defence of Nigeria’s oneness at a time when the country’s foundation was under siege. “At a defining moment in our history, General Gowon rose above fear and personal ambition to defend the soul of our nation. His leadership was not just about command — it was about conscience, conviction, and compassion,” Dogara declared.
The former Speaker lauded the elder statesman’s Three Rs policy — Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation — as a masterstroke of visionary governance that healed the wounds of war and redefined the meaning of nationhood. He said the policy remains one of the most profound acts of post-conflict reconciliation in Africa’s history, underscoring General Gowon’s magnanimity and statesmanship.
“General Gowon’s brand of leadership is one steeped in humility and guided by divine purpose. Despite wielding immense power at a young age, he ruled with grace, fairness, and restraint. His humility disarmed his critics, and his moral clarity strengthened the fabric of our nation,” Dogara noted.
He further praised the former Head of State’s unwavering devotion to faith and national renewal through his Nigeria Prays initiative, describing it as a continuing testament to his lifelong commitment to peace, moral rebirth, and interfaith harmony.
“As a leader and as a man of God, General Gowon represents the finest virtues of humanity — service without self-interest, leadership without arrogance, and influence without corruption. He remains a shining example of what it truly means to lead with integrity and fear of God,” Dogara said.
The NCGC Chairman added that Gowon’s life and legacy stand as a challenge to contemporary leaders to place nation above self, and posterity above politics. “General Gowon’s story is not just history — it is a sacred reminder that greatness is born from sacrifice, that leadership is stewardship, and that unity is a price worth defending at all costs,” he affirmed.
Dogara prayed that God Almighty would continue to preserve the elder statesman in good health, strength, and peace, adding that Nigeria and Africa will forever celebrate him as a living legend whose footprints are deeply etched in the sands of time.
“General Gowon remains a moral compass, a bridge between generations, and a towering symbol of patriotism and godly leadership. His life is a lesson in grace, his service a testimony of faith, and his legacy an eternal monument to the power of unity,” Dogara concluded.
