In celebration of the 90th birthday of former head of state, Gen. Dr. Yakubu Gowon, President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina, has said he started wearing moustache because of Gowon.....See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Speaking at an event organized to celebrate head of state at ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, while delivering the birthday celebration lecture, Adeshina said Gowon must be emulated because of his humility, candour and leading by example.
He said: “I’m privileged to be here to celebrate the 90th birthday of General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s revered father of the nation. I actually started wearing moustache just because of General Gowon as I love his thin moustache. As head of state, General Yakubu Gowon’s leadership was marked by many firsts.
“He created the NYSC, the only creation public that has withstood all governments. Leaders are not to be humiliated, but to be emulated. General Yakubu Gowon must be emulated for his candour, leadership qualities, strive for unity and having the interest of Nigeria at heart. This is the reason for his acronym: Go On With One Nigeria (GOWON).
“When General Yakubu Gowon was told he has been overthrown by a military coup while attending a summit at Kampala, Uganda, he was asked what his next move will be. He simply told the coup plotters: ‘take care of Nigeria for me’.
“Nigeria must be taken care of because we carry the hopes and aspirations of other African nations. We must lift up Africa. African nations need Nigeria to develop. History beckons on Nigeria and we can’t afford to fail.
“I won’t criticize past or present leaders, but I’ll talk about what we need to do for the development of Nigeria. I believe that Nigeria will develop and flourish. Nigeria will be all it is meant to be. History has placed on Nigeria a responsibility it cannot afford to turn away. A global Nigeria must start with a poverty free Nigeria.”
The event had in attendance former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, immediate past president, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (represented by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha), former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.