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Tag: Gowon

  • Gowon preaches unity

    Gowon preaches unity

    Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon has urged Nigerians to put aside ethnic differences.

    He spoke as guest of honour at the 18th valedictory service and graduation ceremony of Jextoban High School, Ibafo, Ogun State, over the weekend.

    Gen. Gowon said next month would make it 50 years since his regime called for peace and togetherness in the face of incessant crises rocking the nation.

    He said: “My hope and prayer, after the Civil War where we disagreed with one another and had to go into a fight, is that Nigerians would now continue to love themselves and that we do not continue to raise our arms against one another. But with love and charity amongst us, we can be able to build the country to the sort of country that we want it to be.”

    Gen. Gowon cautioned lawmakers against selfishness in their call for the restructuring of the nation.

    “People are saying restructuring, what type of restructuring are they talking about? As long as it is something that is of good of Nigerians, not restructuring to their way of doing things. I think we have to be careful when we talk about restructuring. If it is something good, I am sure the people would be able to give it their blessing. But it must not be restructuring for personal or group interest,” he said.

    Advising the graduates, the 82-year-old major general recalled that when he became Head of State at the age of 32, he had never imagined such responsibility would be thrust upon him, but he rose to the occasion.

    The proprietor of the school, Mr Adedayo Ojo, counselled the pupils.

    Ojo said: “You, our outgoing students, must always remember the sons or daughters of whom you are. You read in the papers everyday how the mighty have fallen… there are people who got to their peak in life through hard work, transparency, honesty and total dependence on God. Such I say you should emulate. Any pursuit of fame, riches or academic success built on false foundation of dishonesty, or corruption is bound to collapse disastrously. Learn to be content with whatever you have, never try to cut corners to get to the top, become the promising leaders that will effect the real change we are yearning for in our nation and build on the Christian values you have learnt.”

  • Before we GOWON

    President Muhammadu Buhari is a man after my heart. Forget the fact that  the poor state of the economy has almost made him impotent development-wise, I am one of those who still believe—and pray—that things will change and we will see an end to this current situation where many are singing along with hip-hop act African China: “Food no dey, walahi light no dey. And our road no good…”

    One major stumbling block to Buhari is the Niger Delta. For reasons best known to those behind it, brigandage in the Niger Delta was reborn in the first year of the Buhari administration. A new ‘terror’ group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), emerged. Grenades are being thrown at major oil and gas facilities at will. They say without some conditions being met by Buhari, peace will elude the Niger Delta, their home. And, by extension, Nigeria.

    The first sign that they meant business was when they bombed the Chevron valve facility and the 48-inch trunk line supplying crude oil to Warri refinery. The Chevron facility they bombed is the main connecting point where all other platforms are linked up. “With the valve platform blown all Chevron activities are now halted,” the group boasted.

    One of their demands is the immediate implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference organised in the run-up to the last general elections by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. They said if this was not done, the country would break up. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal has given a good indication that the Buhari administration thinks less of this report. As far as he is concerned, Jonathan only organised it as ‘jobs for the boys’—a description that has made a Senator describe him as some form of loose cannon. The president too has made statement showing clearly that he sees no need to refer to the report for any reason.

    What the Presidency’s position signifies is that this particular condition cannot be met. Will the Avengers be willing to overlook this?

    Another of their demands centres on ownership of oil blocks. They said 60 per cent of the oil blocks must be owned by indigenes of oil-producing areas.

    The avengers also had an axe to grind with their fellow Niger Deltan and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who earlier in the life of the Buhari administration faulted the Maritime University started by the Jonathan administration. They said Amaechi, an Ikwerre man from Rivers, must apologise to the Ijaw on whose soil the university is situated for his “careless and reckless statement about the siting of the university”. They said maritime university “is located in the most appropriate and befitting place Okerenkoko” and must start the 2015/2016 academic session immediately.

    From the look of things, it is not unlikely that the varsity will kick off as they have demanded. So, what does this portend for the country’s economy.

    They also said Ogoni and all oil-polluted areas in the Niger Delta must be cleaned up and compensation paid to the communities.

    Interestingly, the Buhari administration has started work on the clean-up of Ogoni. But there are several other communities that need to be clean-up. Ogoni clean-up requires millions of dollars. I believe if the other affected communities have to be clean-up, billions will be required. Can Nigeria afford that now?

    They also demanded that the Niger Delta Amnesty programme must be well funded and allowed to continue to function effectively. Of recent, beneficiaries of the programme have been protesting delay in the payment of their stipends. There are also issues with beneficiaries studying abroad.

    These Avengers also see the Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign as skewed in favour of his political associates. The militants said that all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) indicted in any corruption-related cases should be made to face trial like members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    At a point, they also demanded apologies from Buhari, the Department of State Services and ex-Governor Timipre Sylva for killing former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, “with intimidation and harassment because of his party affiliation”.

    “Until our demands are met, no repair works should be done at the blast site. Whoever that is going there for any repair work will be doing that at their detriment,” they threatened.

    Initially, the president wrote them off. Fighter jets were sent to the region trying to smoke them out. This did not deter them. More harms were done.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu has tried searching for peace. He has gone to some Ijaw enclaves and elsewhere in search of the much-needed peace. Not much has been achieved.

    In the midst of the search for peace and the president’s insistence that we must Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON), Urhobo and Isoko leaders have spoken against what they see as the one-sided negotiation on how to solve the economic sabotage by the Avengers. These leaders believe government should treat the Avengers, which many believe are Ijaw, and others damaging the economy as criminals and not negotiate with them.

    One-time Secretary-General of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Chief Frank Kokori said he expected those involved in the destruction of the nation’s assets to be treated as criminals.

    The Urhobo and Isoko, speaking through the chairman of OML 30 Community Development Board (CBD), Morris Idiovwa, warned the Federal Government against dialoguing with those destroying oil and gas assets. They believe doing so can degenerate into a fresh round of ethnic wars in the region.

    Sensing marginalisation, some militants who are of Urhobo stock have threatened to also destroy critical oil and gas assets if that will get them the Federal Government’s attention. The Urhobo say they are the largest ethnic group and have more critical facilities in their domains than the Ijaw, who they feel have blackmailed the government to talk to them by destroying some assets.

    Idiovwa said:”What we have been seeing in Delta State is terrifying; especially in the way a single ethnic nationality is taking over the identity of the entire Niger Delta.  What is happening is outright criminality and we, as the largest ethnic group in Delta State, are not in support of this.

    “We have never been criminals and we don’t want to be criminals. We believe the best way to approach issues is dialogue. But with what we are seeing now, the intelligence we are gathering and what is in the media, a set of people decided to take up arms and disrupt the existing peace in the Niger Delta region because of their selfish interest.

    “The Federal Government has already started inciting an ethnic crisis in Delta State because as we speak now, we have been receiving series of mails, SMS and calls from different regions and groups in Urhobo and Isoko.

    “My office is responsible for ensuring safety of life and property here and if the people are aware that the same advantage they have, in terms of assets and production, is what some people in another part are using to get the Federal Government to come to negotiate with them, because those people have taken to arms struggle and are destroying the assets in their areas. What would you expect from those who have been law abiding, calm and watched over the facilities in their domain?

    “So you want to disregard them because they have not taken up arms? This is one move we will resist. Government should tread carefully. We are not in support of any criminality by any set of people. We have not mandated Egbesu to negotiate for us; we have not mandated the Avengers, MEND, JNDLF or IYC to negotiate for us. We have not mandated any group to negotiate for the Urhobo or Isoko.

    “We are standing on our own and we are telling the Federal Government that whatever is done for any group should be replicated across the entire Niger Delta states or host communities that are producing, otherwise the outcome will be disastrous.”

    Aside the Urhobo, Isoko and others taking on the Ijaw over who the government should talk to in its bid to ensure we GOWON, even splinter groups within Ijaw are battling one another over who have the right to be at the negotiating table.

    This, for me, creates a dilemma for the government. It raises the question: Who should Buhari talk to? Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Avengers, Egbesu or who?

    My final take: The Federal Government needs to find a way to manage the diversity in the Niger Delta. The region is not monolithic. Tongues differ and for any meaningful headway to be made in our quest to GOWON, every strata of the region must be made to feel a sense of belonging. Anything short of this will only lead to a situation where as one group is appeased, another is taking up arms against the nation. And the only place we will find ourselves is further down.

  • Gowon: Where leaders got it wrong

    Gowon: Where leaders got it wrong

    Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has attributed Nigeria’s economic challenges to the failure to diversify the economy.

    Speaking as guest of  honour at the 2016 annual lecture of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Gowon said leaders who came after him did not sustain his economic initiatives.

    He said had his innovations in agro- allied and chemical industries, steel rolling mills and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in the 70s been sustained, Nigeria would have been better for it.

    He said: “If they had sustained these innovations in the Second Development plans of the 80s, we won’t have most of the problems we have in the country today.

    “The ideal situation is to find a balance between extreme interests. There is the imperative need to guide executive involvement in business otherwise, they will guide their own interest against  the interest of the nation.”

    The lecture had the theme: The challenges of balancing the need for protection  of developing economies and the provision of  an enabling environment for foreign investment and trade.

    Senior Partner,  Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) said the topic was chosen due to the current social-economic upheaval.

    “The global meltdown of 2008 has apparently refused to abate. Recent instability in commodity prices such as crude oil has exacerbated the situation for most developing economies. There is apparently need  for developing economies to  look inward on how to diversify their economies . As they endeavour to diversify,  the other economies plan barriers to protect their local producers.

    “The quagmire was aptly captured by Franklin R.  Root when he stated that  ‘the issue of free trade versus protection has been in dispute since the eighteenth century’.

    “The arguments are complex and subtle though the controversy itself is obvious,” Idigbe said.

    Prof. Robert Lawrence, who gave the keynote address, said that there is a new global economic environment which is determined by what is happening in China.

    “Sustainable growth comes from convergence with the productivity levels  that prevail in the rich countries. Technology is the name for the stock of ideas and knowledge that is available for developing countries to absorb  and disseminate throughout their economies

    “This stock does not disappear or dissipate when rich countries grow more slowly or when world trade is less buoyant or  produces bad politics on top,  Chile is rare example of a country that has so far  managed resource rents very well

    “These changes are giving us opportunities to move from manufacturing to the exportation of services.  The real key to growth and big salary is productivity and the average productivity level of the government,” he said.

    Prof. Lawrence identified two types of growth – one based on borrowing as seen in such countries as Greece and others which lived beyond their means, and the other based on what he called commodity  boom.

    “Commodities are volatile in nature, but in this growth you use the good times to save for the bad day. And there is a good growth which is structural transformation–led growth as can be seen in China, India, which moved from  low productivity of traditional products to sustainable structural growth.

    “If government can get 50 percent depreciation of the economy, that amounts to 50 per cent subsidy to the manufacturing firms on a level playing field. There are opportunities in the current global environment but Nigeria is poorly equipped to achieve them.

    “It needs policies that can facilitate structural change, but an appropriate macroeconomic environment with a competitive exchange rate is essential,” Prof. Lawrence stated.

    An industrialist, Chief Sam Ohuabunwa said Nigeria must achieve competitiveness.

    “Government can achieve this by applying incentives to create competitiveness and not by ban,” he said.

  • Gowon: Officer, gentleman and …lover boy

    Gowon: Officer, gentleman and …lover boy

    It is the sort of public show of affection common among youngsters. At over 80, ex-Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon seems to be saying he is young at heart.

    At a service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, to mark the 80th birthday of former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Gowon and his wife Victoria, the former First Lady, who was admired for her beauty and poise in those days when “money was not our problem…”, showed that there is no age limit to exhibiting love for one’s partner.

    Gen. Gowon, the Civil War hero, showed his soft side as he helped madam to remove her necklace – it was not really clear whether it was a set of common beads or something of a luxury, such as diamonds that dangle on the necks of the rich – when she was to receive the Holy Communion. This provided the architect of “no victor, no vanquished” the opportunity to play the “lover boy”.

    Without minding the crowd of congregants around, Gen. Gowon dutifully helped madam to fix the necklace back after she had received the communion.

    But the “stubborn” necklace was difficult to fix. Seeing that Gen. Gowon’s face was beaded with perspiration, a woman offered to help, but the General won’t give in. The service was soon over and Gen. Gowon completed the task.

    He carried out the assignment with the clinical concentration of a surgeon at work.

    When it was all over, the General’s face showed his sense of accomplishment. Madam’s face was wreathed in smiles – to the admiration of the congregants who saw the fascinating scene.

    Good job, the women among them must have been saying.

  • How to grow economy, by Gowon

    The former Head of State,  Gen Yakubu Gowon yesterday said continuity in governance is the way forward to diversify the  national economy.

    He spoke at this year’s Fellows Luncheon of the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria at Civic Centre, Lagos.

    He said the global fall in  oil prices is a lesson to all that a mono-economy in contemporary times is an invitation to economic disaster. The elder statesman said there is need to revisit agriculture particularly in the area of growing food to feed the nation.

    According to him, there is need to reconsider development plans for infrastructure development, adding that the road network must integrate all the geo-political zones to facilitate easy movement of people and goods.

    “We must be concerned about policies and pronouncements that inhibit doing business in the country and create co-operation and continuity for business and governance. We must pay attention to the power sector and ensure it works,” he said.

    Gowon noted that the national grid must be expanded to reach every nook and cranny of the country and the state governments should aim at boosting rural electrification.

    He said the third National Development Plan 1975 to 80 which he launched in 1975 is still implementable today, especially if all areas of economic development are taken into consideration as an organic whole. He added that economic development should be inclusive, not exclusive.

    Former Chairman of the Board, Eco Bank Nigeria Plc and past President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief John Odeyemi said to diversify the economy there is  need for total resolve, commitment, passion and dedicated action.

    According to him, all hands must be on deck, various government policy makers, professionals, traders and association working in the same direction must seek and concretise opportunities for wealth creation and job mobilisation for gainful employment and self-sufficiency.

    He said government must articulate immediate medium and long term goals measurable and achievable over a period of 25 years without.

    “The leadership of the country at the national and state levels must have the courage to take tough decisions and make sacrifices in the near term which will in the long run make our economy stronger and sustainable and consequently result in prosperity across all regions of Nigeria,” he said.

    He noted that to resolve revive the economy, there will be need to explore and expand inter-state relations and strengthen regional competiveness by maximising economies of scale, regional optimisation of assets and endowments, and mitigation of affiliations and natural disasters.

    “For effective inter-sate collaboration, we must also ensure transpiration, infrastructure to facilitate market linkages, education, market development, human capacity building, security and intelligence sharing among others,” he said.

    President/ Chairman Governing Council, IoD, Mr Samuel Yemi Akeju said the event is to foster a way for Nigeria to move forward following the present state of the economy.

  • Gowon: Musa is my son

    Gowon: Musa is my son

    A DNA test has confirmed that ex-Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon is the father of 48-year-old Musa Gowon, who returned from the United States after years in jail for drug-related offence.

    His mother is the late Edith Ike. The test ended years of doubts on his paternity.

    A statement by Gen. Gowon yesterday reads: “Following years of doubt and speculation, a DNA test was conducted to ascertain the paternity of Musa Gowon, who recently returned to the country.

    “The results of the tests were conclusive and they confirm his paternity. We, the family, are working to assist in his rehabilitation following a difficult period in his life.

    “As we look forward to the future with faith in God, we request that our privacy be respected.”

  • Gowon calls for unity

    Gowon calls for unity

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has stressed the need for Nigerians to continue to be united irrespective of their differences.

    Speaking in Sokoto at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Federal Government College (FGC), Sokoto, Gowon said: ‘’It is only by sustaining the past leaders’ initiatives on the need for unity of Nigerians that the nation will get the deserved development.

    “Our past leaders and forefathers initiatives’ always hinged on living in peace and harmony among Nigerians, irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious differences.

    “So, our generation’s youth should always emulate the examples given by those leaders that ensured the country achieved its Independence.”

    He called on youths to always engage in developmental activities to move the nation forward.

     

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba, called on the youth and the leaders to emulate the legacies left behind by the nation’s founding fathers.

     

     

     

     

  • I was happy in Abacha’s jail – Obasanjo

    I was happy in Abacha’s jail – Obasanjo

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday declared that he was happy during his incarceration  in Yola prison.

    Obasanjo was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1985 after he was convicted for his involvement in the plot to overthrow the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    He spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Bible Society of Nigeria held at the Muson Centre,Onikan,  Lagos.

    He presented a bible, regarded as world’s biggest, alongside other BSN patrons which included former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei.

    Delivering the BSN’s annual lecture titled: “Man in pursuit of happiness,” Obasanjo said, “When I was in prison, I had joy. I was always bubbly, teaching and preaching to other prisoners.

    “It was because of the joy I had found in God, although it can be said to be abnormal that one is in prison and is happy.”

    “I was put in jail, even though I didn’t deserve it.”

    Gowon and Shonekan thanked the BSN for appointing them as patrons and urged the society to continue its good work.

     

  • Boko Haram: Gowon faults December deadline to military

    Boko Haram: Gowon faults December deadline to military

    Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) on Tuesday faulted the December deadline given the military to end the Boko Haram insurgency by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Gowon, who said the armed forces will do its best to meet the December deadline, however maintained that nobody can confidently say when the military operation will end.

    But the former head of state insisted that he has absolute confidence in the military ability to defeat the insurgents.

    Gowon spoke in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, when he led an advocacy visit to Governor David Umahi on malaria and four other neglected tropical diseases.

    He said, “I can tell you this, nobody can really talk about when any particular operation is going to end. And as a (former) Commander-in- chief, I know this.

    “Yes, you can say you target a particular time, but it may finish before that time or it may go slightly beyond. To end it, that is the most important thing.

    “I assure you that I have absolute confidence in our military that they are going to really deal with the situation as they are doing at the moment.”

    He expressed worry that the insurgents are now using underage and innocent children as suicide bombers.

    “May the spirits of these poor little children who are being brainwashed to carry out such heinous crimes rest in peace,” he added.

    Gowon, who hailed the success recorded by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the fight against Boko Haram noted that President Buhari’s administration has been working hard to wipe out the sect since assuming office in May 29.

     

     

  • Gowon, IBB, Abdusalami attend Buhari’s inaugural Council of State meeting

    Gowon, IBB, Abdusalami attend Buhari’s inaugural Council of State meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over his first Council of State meeting since his inauguration on May 29.

    The meeting started at about 11:10am when Buhari arrived at the Council Chamber venue of the meeting.

    The former leaders in attendance are – Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    Former Presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were absent when the meeting started.

    Also absent at the meeting is the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

    Some state governors, deputy governors and other top government officials also attended the meeting, which was still in progress at the time of filing this report.