- Urges Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Unity
FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), at the weekend in Abuja said that the Nigeria Civil War was never driven by hatred, but by a difficult necessity to preserve national unity.
Speaking at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, Gowon emphasized the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity across faiths and ethnicities. The former military leader, now 91, recalled personal losses during the war, including the death of his friend, Major Arthur Unegbe, for whom he served as best man during his marriage.
Reflecting on life after that era, he stressed that his decisions had been guided by prayer and a desire to act with integrity and compassion.
Gowon praised the progress Nigeria has made since the civil war and called on all citizens to support the government’s efforts to uphold peace, love, and mutual respect.
Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, presents lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award to former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) of the Diocese of Abuja, held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama
Alongside General Gowon, the Christian Men’s Fellowship honoured two other distinguished Nigerians.
Dr. Christopher Kolade, 93, a respected diplomat, corporate executive, broadcaster, and academic; and Owelle Gilbert Chikelu, CON, 95, a renowned former Federal Permanent Secretary often described as a “Super Permanent Secretary” for his pioneering work in Nigeria’s civil service.
The awards were presented in recognition of their exemplary service to the Church, the nation, and humanity.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the convention, urged Christian men to uphold truth, integrity, and courage.
His wife, Mrs. Angela Ndukuba, President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild, commended the honourees as “men of courage” who have lived honourably in an age of moral decline.
In a tribute delivered on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. John-Kennedy Opara, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, praised the honourees for their consistency in living with integrity.
Quoting Psalm 25:14, he added: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.”
Former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, described Gowon as “a son of a clergy who inherited integrity and forgiveness,” noting that despite presiding over Nigeria during the height of its oil boom, he refused to enrich himself. “He uncharacteristically left office without even building a personal house,” Bogoro remarked.
The CMF convention brought together Christian men from across the Diocese of Abuja and beyond, focusing on the theme ‘‘Men of Honour: Living with Integrity in a Culture of Deceit’’, Psalm 15: 1-5.
The Bishop of Ilesa, the Rt, Rev Prof Dapo Asaju, was the guest speaker on the theme of the convention.
