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Tag: Yakubu Gowon

  • Gowon opens up on fleeing Nigeria with half of CBN

    Gowon opens up on fleeing Nigeria with half of CBN

    Former Nigerian Military leader, Yakubu Gowon has denied that he fled Nigeria with half of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Recall that on Monday, November 23, the UK parliament debated a petition seeking to impose sanctions on Nigerian Government officials involved in the shooting incident that occurred during the Endsars protest in Lekki on October 20.

    During the debate, the Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, a member of the parliament, urged his government to place sanctions on Nigerians who flee to the UK with ill-gotten wealth. He also spoke about Nigeria’s former military ruler, Yakubu Gowon’s alleged looting of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    He said;

    “What we are seeing in Nigeria today is part of that story. It is a tragedy we are all witnessing because we see things falling apart.

    “The problem this time is not foreign pressure known as colonialism. The pressure instead is corruption and violence and attempts at control (of power).

    “We need to call out the corruption, we need to use the powers that we have in this country to stop those who are profiting from the wealth of that great nation and hiding it here.

    “Now some people will remember when general Gowon left Nigeria, he took half of the Central Bank, so it is said, and moved to London.

    “We know today, even now in this great city of ours, there are sadly some people who have taken the wealth of Nigerian people and hidden their ill-gotten gains here.

    “We know that our banks sadly have been used for that profit or that illegal transfer of asset and that means that the UK is in a unique position in being able to actually do something to really exert pressure on those who have robbed Nigerians.”

    However, in an exclusive interview with the BBC, Gowon described the allegations as rubbish.

    “What the MP said is rubbish. I don’t know where he got that rubbish from, I served Nigeria diligently and my records are there for all to see.

    “I did not want to speak on this issue because people that know me know that what the MP said is not true” he said

    After leaving power in a bloodless coup in 1975, Gowon went to the UK and enrolled at Warwick University as an undergraduate where he studied political science and international relations.

  • Thanksgiving: Osinbajo, Gowon see brighter future for Nigeria

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon(Rtd), on Sunday in Abuja thanked God for his goodness to Nigeria and also prayed for a more prosperous nation.

    Osinbajo and Gowon were at the State House Chapel for the annual End of Year Thanksgiving Service.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after the service, Osinbajo said that Nigerians had every reason to be extremely thankful to God.

    “It has been a year where God has shown his faithfulness in some many ways; I think what God is also telling is that the coming months and the coming years will be even better.

    “Our country is going forward; our country is getting better and better; our country will prosper; our country will be a place of abundance; all of us will enjoy the fruit of this land.

    “So my message is that we should continually thank God because God has helped us a great deal and he is set to help us even more,’’ he said.

    The Vice President had earlier during the service offered a special thanksgiving prayer to God for His mercy, grace and kindness to Nigeria.

    On his part, Gowon said that his message for Nigeria was to pray ceaselessly.

    He prayed God to accept the genuine prayers offered by Nigerians.

    “Let God answer all the good prayers for Nigeria; what he thinks is best for Nigeria.

    “That is my message and prayer; so that we contribute to the peace of Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, Assistant General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, who delivered the sermo said, that Nigeria was still a country was a good reason to thank God.

    He said that Nigeria had passed through quite a lot as there were lots of signs and signals pointing towards disintegration but Nigerians still remained together.

    “`That one is more than enough to thank God for,’’ he said.

    The Chaplain, State House Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, said that thanksgiving was something Nigerians should do continuously.

    “Thanksgiving is something that is expected on a continuous basis; in fact, that is one of the requirements of God from us.

    “ We thank God; God will make us whole; in every relationship, you do not see perfection; even in your life but when you thank God, that imperfection will be perfected.

    “So, I see a perfection for Nigeria; I see a wholeness for every one of us,’’ he said.

    The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Silas Agara, on his part, thanked God for guiding President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo in the last three years.

    He said that Nigerians should be thankful to God for giving the nation God-fearing leaders, unlike other nations, Nigeria was not at war.

    Agara also prayed God to give the president and vice president another opportunity to lead Nigeria for another four years, so that the nation could witness more blessings from God.

    The thanksgiving service was also attended by the Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Pastor Sani Uguru, representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Army Staff.

     

  • Gowon pays tribute to late David Bamigboye

    Gowon pays tribute to late David Bamigboye

    Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former Military Head of State, said loyalty, hard work and competence exhibited by late Brig.-Gen. David Bamigboye earned him the first Kwara Governorship position in 1967.

    Gowon made the statement in his tribute at the funeral of late Bamigboye at St. Paul Anglican Cathedral Church Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government of the state.

    The former Head of State said Bamigboye was one of the youngest governors and a highly committed officer at the time of his appointment as the governor of old Kwara and Kogi State in 1967 when he was the Head of State.

    He said such sterling qualities were the magic wands that enabled him to undertake many viable developmental projects during his tenure.

    According to him, Bamigboye was indeed an officer and a gentleman, a man with a great sense of mission and purpose.

    Gowon, who expressed happiness that the people of Kwara acknowledged the worth of the deceased, said he would forever be remembered by his immediate family, the community, the state and country at large.

    “It is on record that that he performed very well during his tenure as military governor of Kwara.

    David was good, loyal, hardworking, highly competent and also a highly committed officer which stood him out for appointment as the first military governor of the state back then,” he said.

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, in his own tribute, praised Bamigboye for laying a solid foundation for which the state was recognised and known for today.

    He expressed the government’s determination to set in motion a plan to immortalise the deceased by getting a recognised edifice named after him.

    Sen. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, on his part, said the state had lost an industrious and dedicated son in person of Bamigboye, saying his legacies were glaring across the length and breadth of the state.

    Chief Jide Adebayo, the Eesa of Omu-Aran, who spoke on behalf of Olomu-In-Council, said the community would greatly miss Bamigboye’s fatherly role and advices as a son of the soil.

    Chief Mrs Aduke Bamigboye, the wife of the deceased, described her husband as a friend, a confidant, supporter and a loving father to his children and extended family.

    “I never thought you will leave us so soon but I take solace in God that you are in a better place and looking at me and your children,” she said.

    Bishop David Oyedepo, President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, urged Nigerians to pray fervently for free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.

    He called on the political class to exercise restraint in the discharge of their political responsibilities, saying that no ambition was worth a single soul created by God.

    “You politicians, you need to take things very easy as your ambition does not worth a single soul,” he said.

    Rev. Philip Adeyemo of the Anglican Cathedral Church in a sermon, urged the gathering to always place the trust in God and not human, saying only God would not disappoint or fail.

    “God is not like man; man can disappoint, fail, make mistakes but is the supreme creator who will never fail or disappoint,” he said.

    Bamigboye died on Sept. 20 after a brief illness. He was aged 78 years.

    He was credited with the establishment of some landmark edifices such as the Kwara State Polytechnic (formerly School of Science and Technology), the Herald Newspapers, Kwara Hotels and host of others.

     

  • Buhari, Gowon, Jonathan charge traditional rulers on Nigeria’s unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Benin called on traditional rulers across the country to continue to build bridges of unity and oneness to promote national development.
    Buhari made the call at the official launch of the Book Entitled “The Benin Monarchy, an Anthology of Benin History” held in Benin City on Saturday in commemoration of the 2nd coronation anniversary of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) also commended the Benin monarchy for the remarkable effort to tell the history of the Benin Kingdom to avoid distortion that may arise from allowing others to seize the narrative.
    In his remark, Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki assured on plans to build the Benin Royal Museum to preserve Benin heritage and retrieve stolen artefacts.
    President Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha commended the good relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Benin Kingdom, saying it should cut across the country.
    He said that traditional institutions must continue to stay abreast with the digital changes in the world and should not allow the changes affect the preservation of customs, languages and traditions of the people.
    Buhari congratulated the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the council of chiefs for preserving the Benin culture, saying that the Benin kingdom is a role model to others.
    He further called on traditional rulers across the country to join the federal government in preaching against hate speech and resist money politics as the 2019 elections draw near.
    The Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, commended the outstanding features of the Benin Monarchy, and described the book as a masterpiece that “tells African history by Africans”
    “One of the tragedies of Africa is that our story has always been told by others from their own perspectives and with their own purpose.
    “The result is that much of the narratives of our continent have been a distortion. Against this background, we appreciate the impact of this singular effort of telling the history of Benin Kingdom,” he said.
    Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said the Benin Kingdom has always made the country proud via its rich history and well-structured governance system.
    Jonathan commended the Oba of Benin for his resourcefulness and protection of the Benin people.
    In his remark, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, assured that the Benin Royal Museum would be built and completed before the end of 2021.
    He said he made the decision recently at a meeting of The Benin Dialogue Group which is made up of all prominent museums in Europe.
    “We also got the commitment of the group to return many of the works that were taken from the palace during the expedition in 1897,” the governor said.
    In his address, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, commended all who have supported him since his ascension to the throne, saying his mandate is to prioritise the welfare of Edo people.
    He said the 7-kg book being launched was a compendium of the great history of a great people and would also be showcased in London, the United States of America, amongst other countries.
    He said the Oba Ewuare II satellite Town which is also being built in commemoration of his 2nd coronation anniversary was modelled to booster youth employment, create jobs in the agro-allied industry as well as cater for the general welfare of Edo people.
    Dignitaries at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, former governors of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole, as well as the Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense amongst others.
     

  • Security challenges facing Nigeria worrisome – Gen. Yakubu Gowon

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has described as worrisome the widespread security challenges and killings in the country.

    Gowon, who attended a special prayer summit in Yenagoa, said that he had prayed and hoped at the end of the Nigerian Civil War that the country would not go through that path again.

    He spoke with journalists shortly after a special church service in Yenagoa on Sunday

    Gowon, Chairman and convener of Nigeria Prays, said the activities of militant groups, the Boko Haram and the killings perpetrated by the ‘so called Fulani herdsmen’ were of serious concern to the leaders, elders and indeed, the citizens.

    He explained that the country’s leaders were having sleepless nights over the acts of brutality and wickedness across the country.

    Gowon called on Nigerians to give the requisite support to those in leadership positions in the bid to address the emergent security challenges in the country.

    “This is worrisome. When I recall the end of the civil war, I had hoped and prayed that Nigeria would never go through the same experience again.

    “This was what I prayed for and you can see how worrying it is.

    “All these spate of crises: Is it the militants, is it the Boko Haram, is it the so called Fulani herdsmen?

    “All sorts of things that are happening. Man’s inhumanity to man, that is happening through out the length and breath of Nigeria.

    “Sadly, it is worrying to all Nigerians, and this is what all of us who are in leadership positions, your governor, and his assistants as well as all the governors throughout the country.

    “All of us who are leaders are concerned about it, and always aim for whatever we can do to put it under control.

    “But it is not only the leaders that can do it. They need the press and support of the people so that they can deal with the problem together.

    “And this is our prayer, prayer for the everyone in Nigeria and all Nigerians wherever they are. We hope for greater peace than what we have for now,” Gowon said

    Also,Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa said the state government decided to join Nigeria Prays Group led by Gowon to pray for the country so that the leaders and indeed, the county would do the right thing.

    The governor noted yearly prayer meeting of Nigeria Prays network was hosted at the Ecumenical Centre, Yenagoa, because of the conviction that Nigerians of all faiths should pray for the peace, stability and progress of the country.

    “And of course, there are lots challenges, principally, security challenges, challenges of wanton killings, conduct of government officials, challenges of building harmony, and so we align with the remarks of our leader.

    “That is why our state is joining hand with him and the Nigeria Prays group to continue to pray for our state, our leadership and our country to do what is right.” Dickson said.