NewStats: 3,263,945 , 8,182,003 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 10:07 PM i6e3l

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on Saturday in Abuja, said the Nigerian Civil War was never driven by hatred, but by a difficult necessity to preserve national unity.

Speaking at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, Gowon emphasised the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity across faiths and ethnicities.

“I the most difficult period of my life. It was not my choice, but I had to be there—and had to do what I had to—to keep this country together,” Gowon said after receiving a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award.

“It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you. Apart from that, there is love and respect between us.”

The former military leader, now 91, recalled personal losses during the war, including the death of his friend, Major Arthur Unegbe, for whom he served as ‘best man’.

Reflecting on life after that era, he stressed that his decisions have been guided by prayer and a desire to act with integrity and comion.

“As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers. I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with the love and respect from all the people.

“That is why, at the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” he added.

Gowon praised the progress Nigeria has made since the civil war and called on all citizens to the government’s efforts to uphold peace, love, and mutual respect.

“This is my prayer, and I ask your prayers for Nigeria so that we can continue to unite and live together as one people, irrespective of our faith, whether Christian, Muslim, or unbelievers.”

Alongside General Gowon, the Christian Men’s Fellowship honoured two other distinguished Nigerians.

Dr. Christopher Kolade, 93, a respected diplomat, corporate executive, broadcaster, and academic; and Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, CON, 95, a renowned former federal permanent secretary often described as a “super permanent secretary” for his pioneering work in Nigeria’s civil service.

The awards were presented in recognition of their exemplary service to the Church, the nation, and humanity.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the convention, urged Christian men to uphold truth, integrity, and courage.

“The Lord is still in search of men of honour and integrity,” he said, referencing the “four Hs” that define godly men – heart, head, habit, and humility.

His wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild, commended the honourees as “men of courage” who have lived honourably in an age of moral decline.

“Despite their age, they have stood strong for the Lord and His Church,” she said.

In a tribute delivered on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. John-Kennedy Opara, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, praised the honourees for their consistency in living with integrity.

“These men have touched lives, and God has used them in different ways to touch the nation,” he said.

Quoting Psalm 25:14, he added: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”

Former executive secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, described Gowon as “a son of a clergy who inherited integrity and forgiveness,” noting that despite presiding over Nigeria during the height of its oil boom, he refused to enrich himself.

“He uncharacteristically left office without even building a personal house,” Bogoro remarked.

The CMF convention brought together Christian men from across the Diocese of Abuja and beyond, focusing on the theme ‘‘Men of Honour: Living with Integrity in a Culture of Deceit’’ – Psalm 15: 1-5.

The Bishop of Ilesa, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju, was the guest speaker on the theme of the convention.

https://leadership.ng/civil-war-was-for-unity-not-hatred-gowon/

And the starvation of women , children , shooting down Red cross planes, medicine san frontiers and barring the World Churches council from humanitarian aids is what

The former military leader, now 91, recalled personal losses during the war, including the death of his friend, Major Arthur Unegbe, for whom he served as ‘best man’.

Which Arthur Unegbe is mentioned here? 🧐

The same Unegbe, the only easterner that was killed during the Nigerian first coup of Jan 15, 1966 which was about 1.5years before the start of the civil war?

Leave Biafra war alone. We have a major war in Fulani herdsmen now

And Fulani war is for killing your people. 70yr old man. Your mumu no too much?

You don't force unity on people Gowon

Lies , it was pure hatred which is still on

Noted.

This nation should be divided into groups. That’s the only way there can be peace.

The war left deep scars on Nigerian society.
It highlighted the fragility of national unity and continues to influence ethnic relations and politics.
Every country that fought civil wars like Nigeria have moved on but we are still stuck in 1967

Where is the unity now?

Tell that to the families affected by the war

Oh yes...

It happened yet there's no unity...

What was the civil war for again?

False. Civil war was a battle for oil and tribal dominance

If only Gowon didn't allow the British ambassador to interfere after the Aburi Accord was signed many lives would have been saved in the avoidable war

Clown You kept silent while Fulani have wiped out your entire community and you are still taking about civil war…my observation is that Nigeria is a dead country bereft of people and government with ideas and direction….the only thing that brings the country alive from dead is mention of Igbos and igbo people…. If you doubt me don’t mention anything Igbo for two days here in nairaland and you will see an online ghost land in nairaland immediately

Are we still on this matter? I thought u told all the lies in ur book

A lot of the people that led the war went on to live amazing lives afterwards. Even Ojukwu got a sponsored temporary stay abroad till tension died down.

It's the sheeps that were killed in the war I feel for.

Amotolongbo:


https://leadership.ng/civil-war-was-for-unity-not-hatred-gowon/

Lies from pit of hell , you can't be killing us and calling it unity it's a genocide not unity , there is no unity in evil what is evil is evil, you Left the Biafran soldiers and starting killing our helpless mother's and children through blocking of essential food items and access to good water , that was no war it was a genocide.

Okay

Just as Fulanis butchering his people in Plateau State is for unity not hatred


Such consistency in self-deception even at old age is very miserable to watch

Go on with one Nigeria

Hmmm