‘He did a lot for Nigeria’ -Tinubu eulogizes Gowon at 90

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated a former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on the occasion of his 90th birthday anniversary.

Tinubu, in a statement on Saturday, described the elder statesman as a gentleman extraordinaire.

The president said the ex-head of state is one of the longest-serving Nigerian leaders, who has done a lot for the country and served meritoriously in various capacities within and outside the military.

Tinubu added that as a brilliant officer trained at Sandhurst and reluctantly became Nigeria’s leader at 32, his life story has inspired many Nigerians.

According to the President, as the nation’s head of state, Gowon significantly contributed to nation-building and development and can be rightly called the father of national infrastructure.

“It is on record that after the country’s civil war, his philosophy of “No victor, no vanquished” helped promote national healing, peace, and reconciliation.

“His most incredible legacy was the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, founded in 1975.

“Since I became President, General Gowon has been my counsellor, offering advice when needed.