Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has said that the Nigerian Civil War was a difficult but necessary step taken to preserve the country’s unity, and not a campaign fueled by hatred.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, the 91-year-old elder statesman reflected on his role during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent periods. He was honoured at the event with a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award.
“I remember the most difficult period of my life. It was not something I desired, but I had to do what was necessary to keep Nigeria together,” Gowon said. “It was never about hatred toward any group. There was always love and respect among us.”
He recalled personal losses from that era, including the death of Major Arthur Unegbe, a close friend for whom he once stood as best man. Gowon also noted that his leadership choices were deeply guided by prayer, integrity, and compassion.
“Everything I do is through prayer. I ask God to help me do what is right, the way He wants it done—with love and respect for all,” he said. “At the end, we declared: no victor, no vanquished.”
Gowon applauded Nigeria’s post-war progress and urged all citizens to continue working toward peace and unity, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
“My prayer is for Nigeria to remain united. Whether Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, we must live as one people,” he added.
The event also honoured two other distinguished Nigerians:
- Dr. Christopher Kolade, 93, renowned diplomat, broadcaster, and academic;
- Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, CON, 95, respected former federal permanent secretary known for his pioneering civil service contributions.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the convention, urged Christian men to be models of truth and integrity, referencing the “four Hs” of godly character: heart, head, habit, and humility.
His wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild, described the honourees as “men of courage” who have remained faithful in an era of moral erosion.
A tribute delivered on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan by Prof. John-Kennedy Opara praised the awardees for their consistent integrity and service to the nation. Quoting Psalm 25:14, he said, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
Former TETFund Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, hailed Gowon as “a son of a clergy who inherited integrity and forgiveness,” highlighting how he refused to exploit the privileges of power during Nigeria’s oil boom.
“He left office without building a personal home,” Bogoro noted.
The convention, themed “Men of Honour: Living with Integrity in a Culture of Deceit” (Psalm 15:1-5), gathered Christian men from across the Diocese and featured the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju, Bishop of Ilesa, as guest speaker.
