Your Patriotic Spirit Is Beyond Comparism- Buhari Tells Gowon @86

President Muhammadu Buhari has described former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon as a gallant patriot whose commitment to national unity is beyond comparison in the annals of our chequered history.”
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in Abujayesterday, tomarktheoccasion of his 86th birthday anniversary, President Buhari remarked that, “The role General Yakubu Gowon played in our political history and infrastructure
development is etched in stone and cannot be rewritten.”
Buhari said, “As young military officers, many of us regarded General Gowon as our role model because of his patriotism, commitment to unity and his humility.”
According to the president, “The Nigerian civil war brought out the most brilliant qualities of General Gowon as a visionary leader, who put the interest of Nigeria before his own personal interest.”
He further noted that, “The former Head of State led a very impressive national reconciliation effort at the end of the civil war in order to heal the bitter
emotional and psychological wounds of the fratricidal conflict.”
President Buhari added that “General Gowon is one of the fairest leaders I have ever known who has inspired so many future leaders.”
“Even in the context of Africa, many leaders in the continent draw inspiration from his adroit handling of the outcome of the civil war through his policy of ‘No Victor, No Vanquished,’” he further stated.
“As he marks 86 years of age, Nigerians cannot forget General Gowon’s immeasurable contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria. May God continue to bless him with more good health and the needed strength in understanding his ongoing spiritual engagements and service to humanity,” the President prayed.
Meanwhile, the Northern Governors Forum has described former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon as a distinguished Statesman, Gentleman, Prayer Warrior and Bridge Builder, who has spent most of his lifetime working for the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
While felicitating with the former Nigerian leader on the occasion of his
86th birthday, chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong said General Gowon remains one of Nigeria’s finest leaders, whose exemplary lifestyle of humility and enormous sacrifices towards nation-building and global peace is well recognised.
Governor Lalong in a statement by the director of press and public affairs, Simon Makut Macham, said General Gowon had continued to provide inspiration to the nation’s leadership and development trajectory through his commitment to the unity, peace and progress of the country.