Gowon at 90: GAPS DG commends former head of state for his commitment to peace, unity in Nigeria, Africa
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Director-General of Global Awareness for Public Safety Foundation (GAPS), Apostle Chuks Alozie, has commended a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for his peace initiatives and prayers for Nigeria, the West Africa sub-region and Africa, in general.
Apostle Alozie, in a message to the General Gowon on his 90th birthday anniversary, described him as the father of Nigeria’s present unity and progress.
The GAPS DG who doubles as the Abia State Coordinator Nigeria Prays, a pet-project of General Gowon aimed at gathering men and women who intercede for Nigeria and pray for peace and her well being; progress and prosperity of the nation, her leaders at all levels, her as well as economic advancement and peace of the country, commended the former head of State for always ensuring that the organization (Nigeria Prays) lives up to expectations till date.
Apostle Alozie noted that General Gowon exhibited unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project as Head of State, through the establishment of the National Youth Services Corp (NYSC) scheme and Unity Schools. According Apostle Alozie, these institutions have played significant roles in bringing Nigerians together through education and national service, there by fostering unity and togetherness for a common goal.
On the international scene, Apostle Alozie recalled that as head of State, General Gowon played a significant role as one of the founding fathers, in the formation of ECOWAS which came into being in 1973 and was among the forces that liberated the Republic of Zimbabwe and Republic of South Africa.
Part of Apostle Alozie’s message read in part: “You have played significant roles in Africa through the establishment of regional political and economic platforms like the ECOWAS founded in 1973; your government, with other regional blocs, brought liberation to Zimbabwe and later, South Africa through ECOWAS; your administration worked closely with the then Organization of African Unity (OAU), now African Union AU, and it was while attending the OAU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1975, that your government was toppled. This clearly indicated your commitment and sacrifice to Africa’s unity and progress.
“Recently, your statement as a living witness on ECOWAS establishment, that neither your generation nor current or future generations will forgive the break-up of ECOWAS, and call for lifting of all sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, the four countries ruled by transitional powers following military coups in those countries, shows your love for unity and peace of the sub-region and entire Africa.”
“Your commitment to prayers for our Country, through hosting and attending spiritual programmes to pray and seek God’s intervention in the affairs of our country is highly commendable,” he added.
While wishing General Gowon a happy birthday, Apostle Alozie thanked him for always working for Nigeria’s unity, ECOWAS and Africa; and prayed God to continue to grant him good health and more years of celebrations.
Recall that the nation celebrated General Gowon’s 90th birthday with a Public Lecture on Friday, October 18, 2024, in Abuja.
