President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the autobiography of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as a vital national document that offers direction for Nigeria’s future and regional cooperation. Akahi News learnt that the President made the remarks on Tuesday at the public presentation of My Life of Duty and Allegiance held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
It is not a child’s play to preserve national memory in a country where history is often contested. But when will Nigerians embrace the lessons of the past instead of repeating old divisions? Tinubu’s message at the event pointed squarely at that question.
Why the Memoir Matters Now
Akahi News gathered that the President, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, called for wide circulation of the book across the country. He said the reflections of leaders who witnessed defining moments remain essential for democratic stability and national cohesion.
“A nation that misplaces its memory soon begins to quarrel with its own reflection. A society without memory becomes an orphan in time,” Tinubu stated. He stressed that societies which fail to learn from history risk drifting into division and uncertainty.
The timing, he noted, is significant. With insecurity, economic strain and social fragmentation still affecting Nigeria and West Africa, the lessons of reconciliation and statesmanship in Gowon’s account are more relevant than ever.
Gowon’s Role in National Healing and Regional Cooperation
Akahi News had earlier reported that post-civil war reconciliation shaped Nigeria’s political trajectory. Tinubu praised Gowon’s declaration of “No victor, no vanquished,” describing it as one of the principles that helped preserve unity after the war.
He said peace and healing require deliberate policies built on trust, inclusion and shared citizenship. “The decisions of that period cannot be understood by those who examine them with the arrogance of comfort,” he remarked.
The President also highlighted the National Youth Service Corps as a lasting legacy of Gowon’s administration. According to him, the scheme has bridged ethnic, cultural and religious divides for generations and remains vital for building trust in a diverse federation.
On regional affairs, Tinubu commended Gowon’s role in establishing ECOWAS. He said the body remains one of the continent’s most important platforms for economic cooperation and collective security, especially as West Africa confronts terrorism, political instability and economic disruption.
Leaders Weigh In at the Launch
It was alleged that the event drew a broad spectrum of Nigeria’s political and traditional establishment. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who chaired the occasion, said the book is a fitting testimony of a leader who lived through turbulent phases of Nigeria’s history.
General Gowon told guests that he only needed to tell his truth. “My story and that of Nigeria became intertwined,” he said, adding that the book reflects his modest attempt to document his service. Ahead of 2027, he urged Nigerians not to listen to naysayers, insisting that the country will not fail.
Bishop Matthew Kukah, who reviewed the book, described it as a vivid account of Nigeria’s turbulent history through the civil war and Gowon’s personal journey. He noted that while no autobiography captures history in totality, the work provides valuable insight into events during Gowon’s time in office.
What This Means for National Unity
Tinubu said Gowon’s life stands as a rebuke to divisive narratives that reduce Nigeria’s diversity to rigid regional or religious stereotypes. “His story teaches us that the Nigerian project becomes stronger when a citizen refuses to become a weapon in the hands of sectarian entrepreneurs,” he said.
The President maintained that Nigeria’s prosperity and security are tied to the stability of neighbouring countries. He called for cooperation against insecurity, trade that empowers young people, and diplomacy that prevents conflict from spreading.
For students and young professionals, the event underscored the value of institutional memory. Understanding how past leaders navigated crisis helps shape informed citizenship and leadership for the future.
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The launch of Gowon’s memoir has placed national memory back on the public agenda. Tinubu’s call for wide circulation signals that the lessons of reconciliation, inclusion and regional cooperation remain unfinished business.
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For Nigeria to move forward, those lessons must translate into policies that foster interaction, fairness and mutual understanding. Follow Akahi News for updates on governance, history and national affairs.