ASHENEWS reports that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has felicitated with Chairman of its Board of Patrons, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on the occasion of his 89th birthday.
The forum, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba described Gowon as one of the finest and iconic architects of the Nigeria Project.
“The 89th anniversary is certainly a major milestone in the life of the retired General. It may well be that in his private moments, especially at this stage in his life, he is concerned and worried about the unsavoury state of affairs in the political and economic lives of the country and its citizens.
“This is especially significant if the General looks back at the efforts and energy that he and his colleagues had, while relatively very young, devoted to ensure that the country remained one, united and indivisible country.”
The statement further said “As he reminisces, General Gowon will certainly look back with nostalgia at the good times in the history of the country when everyone was positive and hopeful, especially after the Civil War of 1969 – 1970. He had popularized, on the platform of “No Victor, No Vanquished”, the mantra of “To keep Nigeria One, is a Task that Must be Done”. The nation is still pursuing the dream but it is not totally lost. The work that must be done will remain a work-in-progress. All hope is not lost, in spite of the perceived formidable challenges in place.
“Therefore, as it extends felicitation with prayers for even more celebrations in the future, ACF encourages the General to, as it firmly believes he will, remain positive, hopeful and prayerful that all will eventually work out fine for the most populous country in Africa with the world’s largest population of the black race.”
