The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Former Head of State

  • Buhari, Gowon meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Gowon meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd).

    The meeting, which was held in the President’s office at the State House, Abuja, lasted for about one hour.

    The former Head of State’s last visit to the Villa was in August.

    Gowon, who was abroad during the last Council of State meeting, was meeting the President for the first time since then.

    At the end of Thursday’s meeting, Gowon did not speak with State House correspondents.

    There was also no official statement concerning the meeting at the time of filing this report.

  • I became Head of State by accident of history – Gowon

    I became Head of State by accident of history – Gowon

    Former Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon says he became Head of State 31 years ago by accident of history without nursing the ambition.

    Gowon stated this when Deputy Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Gowon was reacting to calls by some Nigerians for the reduction of age limit to 30 years to contest for presidential position in the country.

    “What happened was the accident of history.

    “When you have lost your leadership and there was crisis and you don’t know what to do and it happened that those within your constituency chose you, what would you do?

    “I was lucky enough within the military at that time and all the officers knew me by reputation.

    `” had no intention to become head of state but it is the opportunity, if opportunity presents itself and people ask you to do it then do it.

    “What I have achieved is (because of) God. I had never thought of becoming head of state but there was a coup and all my senior colleagues were killed and I was the only one that survived.

    “My plan was to rise in my profession and hopefully become a head in my profession but that did not happen.

    “I didn’t know what happened but I had the duty and responsibility to ensure the coup in Lagos did not succeed’’, he said.

    The former head of state advised younger Nigerians to prepare themselves academically and morally to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

  • Abdulsalam to Niger Delta Avengers: Embrace dialogue

    Abdulsalam to Niger Delta Avengers: Embrace dialogue

    Former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalam has stated that the continuous attacks on oil installations by the Niger Delta Avengers is uncalled for urging them to ‎embrace dialogue with the Federal Government as a means of finding a lasting solution to the current crisis rocking the Niger Delta region.

    Abdulsalam said the attacks have done more harm than good because the people in the Niger Delta region is suffering more from the effect adding that they would be the biggest loser at the end of the day as much harm is done to land and aquatic lives of the region.

    He said that the activities of the militants will also possibly lead to drop in the funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Abdulsalam made the call Tuesday when the leadership of the Niger State House of Assembly paid him a courtesy visit at his Uphill Residence in Minna to felicitate‎ with him on the occasion of his 74th birthday.

    “The avengers are now out, what are they avenging and they are destroying our country and if they do not realize it, it is their land that would be affected most.

    “They are doing more damage to their area as they will not have land to farm and will not be able to go fishing as well and even the 13 percent derivation from the FG would be affected.

    “So, I do hope they will see reason and give peace a chance, because even if you fight a war and win, you must come and still sit down with people you conquered.”

    The former military ruler called on Nigerians to intensify prayers for the unity and prosperity of the nation, adding that the country was in a critical condition.

    “We need to intensify prayers for God to save us, because we are in a critical condition; oil production is at its lowest.

    “So I am begging everyone, in the spirit of Ramadan, whatever religion you any one is following, let us give peace a chance.”

    He also tasked members of the state Assembly on passing laws and resolutions that would impact positively on the citizens.

    In his remarks, the Speaker of the Niger Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Marafa said they had visited the former military leader to felicitate with him on his 74th birthday.

    Marafa prayed God to grant him more wisdom, stressing that the state and the nation at large had benefited greatly from his wise counsel over the years.