Gowon Honoured by Anglican Church, Says Civil War Wasn’t About Hatred
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), was on Saturday honoured with the Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award by the Anglican Church, where he reaffirmed that the Nigerian Civil War was not driven by hatred but by a painful commitment to preserving national unity.
Speaking at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Abuja Diocese, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, the 91-year-old elder statesman reflected on the weight of leadership during Nigeria’s darkest period.
“It was never hatred against any people,” Gowon declared, recalling the deep personal sacrifices and national trials during his time in office. “It was not my choice, but I had to do what I had to do to keep this country together.”
Gowon, visibly moved, spoke of the loss of close friends like Major Arthur Unegbe, for whom he had stood as best man. Yet, despite the scars of war, he emphasized forgiveness, faith, and unity, urging Nigerians to uphold peace across religious and ethnic lines.
His comments came during a convention themed “Men of Honour: Living with Integrity in a Culture of Deceit” (Psalm 15:1-5), which gathered Christian men from across the nation. The event also honoured Dr. Christopher Kolade, 93, and Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, CON, 95, for their unwavering service to church and nation.
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The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, called on men of faith to lead lives defined by the “four Hs” — heart, head, habit, and humility — in an era marked by moral decline.
His wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, commended the awardees as steadfast figures of integrity, saying, “Despite their age, they have stood strong for the Lord and His Church.”
Tributes poured in from across the country. Representing former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. John-Kennedy Opara described the honourees as men whose lives reflect the covenant of God, quoting Psalm 25:14.
Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former TETFund chief, hailed Gowon as “a son of the clergy who inherited integrity and forgiveness,” highlighting the former leader’s austere post-office life: “He left office without building even a personal house.”
Guest speaker Rt. Rev Prof. Dapo Asaju, Bishop of Ilesa, challenged attendees to embrace godly character in public and private life.
General Gowon closed his remarks with a prayer for national unity: “Let us continue to unite and live together as one people — whether Christian, Muslim, or unbeliever. That is my prayer for Nigeria.”
