As the 2011 presidential race gets hotter, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon today asked ex-generals who had once governed Nigeria to quit the stage of political governance for the younger generation.

Gowon gave the advice inside City Hall, Lagos, at the public presentation of a book; Lagos State: My Life of Service with Integrity by the first Governor of the state, Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson, who turned 74 today.

Such personalities as former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Governor of South-West Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo was among others who commended the author for an exemplary life and meritorious service.

Gowon explained said those (apparently referring to former military heads of state currently contesting the 2011 presidential election) who had opportunity to rule before should make way for the younger generation.

"Those of us who had the opportunity to do it before should look and set our minds to the future generation. But if anyone has that ambition to contest, such person should let the public be the deciders. They have the right to do so. Those who want to come back can come if they want to. But let us practice democracy. At least, Nigeria is still together. Whatever the deficiencies we have simply shows we can work hard and do away with the deficiencies. The most important thing is that this nation has remained one and united. It is true despite whatever problem that we may have," General Gowon said.

"So I wish Nigeria well as she turns 50. I am delighted that we have been able to keep this nation together as one and being able to celebrate 50. On the leadership problems we have, every country has leadership problem. Nigeria is not different as long as we are able to resolve it," Gowon added.

Speaking at the presentation, Shonekan acknowledged that the country was faced with a myriad of challenges ranging from politics to economy, infrastructure, security, education and other critical sectors.

"As a country, we have had so many challenges. But we have been able to surmount them on our own, so we need to thank God for that," Shonekan said.

He therefore suggested that the present leadership of the country should learn from the mistakes of the past and prepare the present and prospective generation for the upcoming challenges.

On his part, Governor Fashola said the occasion was more than a book presentation, saying the presentation was part of nation building considering the significance of Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson’s book.

Fashola added that there was a bid vacuum of how Nigeria was built and how Lagos State was built, saying the book would fill a major lacuna in the history of Lagos State because General Johnson explained how the building of Lagos started.

Brigadier Johnson thanked God for sparing his life and giving him the privilege to make substantial input into the process of political governance and nation building.

Johnson said he was lucky to be alive considering different challenges he had faced after the military government took over in 1975. He said he did not have a house of his own then, but Messrs Julius Berger came to his rescue when nearly everyone had gone away.

He expressed profound gratitude to his wife, Funmilayo Mobolaji-Johnson, his children and Julius Berger family for significant support he said they gave him at different critical times of his life.

Other personalities at the book presentation were former international jurist, Prince Bola Ajibola, former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M.D. Yusuf, former Chief of Defence State, Vice Admiral Mike Okai Akhigbe and Ambassador Segun Olusola.

http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/5898-Retired-Generals-Should-Allow-Young-Generation-Rule---Gowon.html

Nice one from Gowon. . .it's now left for IBB,Gusau,Atiku,Ty and other to take his advice.stubborn goats !!

They will all fail down if they do not go by what Gowon as said

when they have not finished looting this country why will they leave it for the younger generation.

when they have not finished looting this country why will they leave it for the younger generation.

Our problem is not about Old Generations or Young Generations, our problem is the right people should lead the nation, whether old or young. We can see what our young leaders have done as Governors, Bankole is a young man, yet he is as corrupt as they come

good talks frm gowon, hope d msg. get to him, ^babaginda

Gowon is still a murderer. He has Igbo blood on his hands and I hope he suffers.

Good advice from Gowon

EzeUche22:

Gowon is still a murderer. He has Igbo blood on his hands and I hope he suffers.

@EzeUche22, I have been expecting who will make the 1st stupid comment on this post. Too bad it happened to be you!

Congregation of murderous bastar-ds

hercules07:

Our problem is not about Old Generations or Young Generations, our problem is the right people should lead the nation, whether old or young. We can see what our young leaders have done as Governors, Bankole is a young man, yet he is as corrupt as they come

SECONDED!!!

EzeUche22:

Gowon is still a murderer. He has Igbo blood on his hands and I hope he suffers.

Do you mean as a Commander-in-chief, he should have allowed Biafra to be seceded from Nigeria. Pls go and read the history of the Union of America. What makes the US great today is the fact the Unions were held together. Pls read American War of Secession.
You had better blamed Ojukwu for playing kites with lives of his kins men by embarking on an already lost war of secession.

MrPrsdent:

Good advice from Gowon

wales:

They will all fail down if they do not go by what Gowon as said

Gowon is a rogue. He is not better than any of them. The fact that he is not contesting for any political office doesnt make him a saint. I see him more as a political prostitute. He is always silent on pressing national issues only resurface when there is high profile political-inclined dinner as well as luncheon.

Ayowumie:

SECONDED!!!
[b]Do you mean as a Commander-in-chief, he should have allowed Biafra to be seceded from Nigeria. Pls go and read the history of the Union of America. What makes the US great today is the fact the Unions were held together. Pls read American War of Secession.
You had better blamed Ojukwu for playing kites with lives of his kins men by embarking on an already lost war of secession.[/b]Gowon is a rogue. He is not better than any of them. The fact that he is not contesting for any political office doesnt make him a saint. I see him more as a political love-peddler. He is always silent on pressing national issues only resurface when there is high profile political-inclined dinner as well as luncheon.

I have to agree with all your postulations except the references about Union of America (USA) and Ojukwu. The inhabitants of USA were relatively the same people with prevalent SINGLE DOMINANT CULTURE which was and still is ENGLISH. In Nigeria, there was noting remotely close to what was /is obtained in USA.

It is rather unfortunate you would want us to blame Ojukwu for Nigeria/Biafra war. Ojukwu stood for Nigeria if only the Ogundipe who was second-in-command assumes the position of Head of State. Unlike Gowon, Ojukwu did not take part in the coups of 1966. Unlike Gowon, Ojukwu did not encourage the massacre of Ndigbo in the other regions of Nigeria baring eastern region. Ojukwu did not issue orders to the 1st Area command of Nigerian army to launch military attack on eastern region of Nigeria. If standing up for his people against aggressors is the fault of Ojukwu, I had worn it as badge of honor.

Dede1:



Ojukwu did not issue orders to the 1st Area command of Nigerian army to launch military attack on eastern region of Nigeria. If standing up for his people against aggressors is the fault of Ojukwu, I had worn it as badge of honor.

he he he I laugh in Swahili.
Ojukwu was the cause of his problems. Who told you he stood up for his people? He is an experienced soilder and he knew there was no way he could win that war. He offered all his people to be slaughtered like chickens and he fled. The blood of those innocent slain Igbo people are on his hands.

Meldrick:

he he he I laugh in Swahili.
Ojukwu was the cause of his problems. Who told you he stood up for his people? He is an experienced soilder and he knew there was no way he could win that war. He offered all his people to be slaughtered like chickens and he fled. The blood of those innocent slain Igbo people are on his hands.

You can laugh in Yoruba, Ijo, Efik, Edo, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Fulde, Hausa, Tiv, Igala, Idoma. Nupe or Kanuri, you made no sense with the phrase about Ojukwu being experienced soldier.

Baring the enormous aide from Britain, USSR, Cameroun, Niger, Chad, Egypt and Arab League of Nations, Nigeria's numerical strength notwithstanding, Gowon and Nigeria could not have defeated Biafra.

If Ojukwu did not stand up for Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general, he would have died by now. This could not be said about those who fought against Biafra and even younger than Ojukwu that are dropping like dried leaves from a tree. Ojukwu will attend all of their funerals. Nemesis shall greet all loonies who had blood of Biafrans in their hands.

^^^ Now you people have turned this thread to another Biafran War. Let me remind you, the topic reads: Re: Retired Generals Should Allow Young Generation To Rule - Gowon !

Dede1:



I have to agree with all your postulations except the references about Union of America (USA) and Ojukwu. The inhabitants of USA were relatively the same people with prevalent SINGLE DOMINANT CULTURE which was and still is ENGLISH. In Nigeria, there was noting remotely close to what was /is obtained in USA.

It is rather unfortunate you would want us to blame Ojukwu for Nigeria/Biafra war. Ojukwu stood for Nigeria if only the Ogundipe who was second-in-command assumes the position of Head of State. Unlike Gowon, Ojukwu did not take part in the coups of 1966. Unlike Gowon, Ojukwu did not encourage the massacre of Ndigbo in the other regions of Nigeria baring eastern region. Ojukwu did not issue orders to the 1st Area command of Nigerian army to launch military attack on eastern region of Nigeria. If standing up for his people against aggressors is the fault of Ojukwu, I had worn it as badge of honor.

Lets fix the problem please, not the blame.

Dede1:

You can laugh in Yoruba, Ijo, Efik, Edo, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Fulde, Hausa, Tiv, Igala, Idoma. Nupe or Kanuri, you made no sense with the phrase about Ojukwu being experienced soldier.

Baring the enormous aide from Britain, USSR, Cameroun, Niger, Chad, Egypt and Arab League of Nations, Nigerian’s numerical strength notwithstanding, Gowon and Nigerian could not have defeated Biafra.

If Ojukwu did not stand up for Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general, he would have died by now. This could not be said about those who fought against Biafra and even younger than Ojukwu that are dropping like dried leaves from a tree. Ojukwu will attend all of their funerals. Nemesis shall greet all loonies who had blood of Biafrans in their hands.

Gbam!

Gowon is a murderer. And he will be treated as such!

It is pure lunacy for people to blame Ojukwu when our people will being killed all across Nigeria.

This is like blaming Roosevelt for the attack on Pearl Harbor even though it was Japanese Aggression!

wales:

They will all fail down if they do not go by what Gowon as said

GOWON IS A RETARD, IF YOUNGER GENERATION ARE PEOPLE LIKE ALAO AKALA, GBENGA DANIEL,IKEDI OHAKIM, ANDY UBA, TINUBU, ALAMESIEGHA etc THEN I PREFER THE OLDER GENERATION

Gen. Buhari - 69
Gen. IBB - 69
Gen. Aliyu Gusau - 68

Gowon has said it all.

If Ojukwu did not stand up for Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general, he would have died by now. This could not be said about those who fought against Biafra and even younger than Ojukwu that are dropping like dried leaves from a tree. Ojukwu will attend all of their funerals. Nemesis shall greet all loonies who had blood of Biafrans in their hands.

May you stand up for your children and children's children the way ojukwu stood for Ndigbo.
if you think the the war/ben johnson was the best and only way he could have stood up for Ndigbo then
you re the hero of your generation otherwise its just a curse.

Dede1:

The inhabitants of USA were relatively the same people with prevalent SINGLE DOMINANT CULTURE which was and still is ENGLISH.

Ummmm!!!
In my limited knowledge of America I think there language is English and their culture Western or European. Feel free to correct me on this one.

jp philips:


May you stand up for your children and children's children the way ojukwu stood for Ndigbo.
if you think the the war/ben johnson was the best and only way he could have stood up for Ndigbo then
you re the hero of your generation otherwise its just a curse.

If what happened to Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general during 1966 pogrom is set upon your entire generation and the generation to come and you utter a cough may the cause be upon you and your entire lineage. 

Ojukwu did not allow the Ndigbo to have free reign on the northerners in eastern region. If had allowed Ndigbo a second of revenge, the junkies such Musa Yar adua would not have lived to fight the war. Yet Gowon and Nigeria foisted a war of attrition on eastern Nigeria.

Tippy Top:


Ummmm!!!
In my limited knowledge of America I think there language is English and their culture Western or European. Feel free to correct me on this one.

We are saying this time thing. Even other Europeans who found their way to the New World were not from United Kingdom, they were forced to bend toword ENGLISH CULTURE which is a relative to other European cultures.

He should say that again.

Dede1:

You can laugh in Yoruba, Ijo, Efik, Edo, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Fulde, Hausa, Tiv, Igala, Idoma. Nupe or Kanuri, you made no sense with the phrase about Ojukwu being experienced soldier.

Baring the enormous aide from Britain, USSR, Cameroun, Niger, Chad, Egypt and Arab League of Nations, Nigeria's numerical strength notwithstanding, Gowon and Nigeria could not have defeated Biafra.

If Ojukwu did not stand up for Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general, he would have died by now. This could not be said about those who fought against Biafra and even younger than Ojukwu that are dropping like dried leaves from a tree. Ojukwu will attend all of their funerals. Nemesis shall greet all loonies who had blood of Biafrans in their hands.

i disgree nigeria didnt recieve anything cruciial from those countries. because most of the war where people died was bloodless.

the war was never really fought and not that much people died from actual combat- thats one of the pros about the war. it wasnt bloody one.

@good from gowon he was there in 1966 for nigeria and he is still here for our beloved country

na waoooh!!!!!please guys the topic is [b]RETIRED GENERALS SHOULD ALLOW YOUNG GENERATION TO RULE[/of which i agree with him
you guys can start another thread, Gowon,Ojjukwu and the nigerian civil war, and if am goin to comment on it i will be lookin at TY Danjuma first before Gowon

amingafar:


@good from gowon he was there in 1966 for nigeria and he is still here for our beloved country

Where was he when innocent Igbo civilians (children, women, men) were being slaughtered in the north?

There is nothing good about Gowon and there is nothing beloved about this country. My only satisfaction is that his home region is being plagued by ethinic violence.

vicknesh:

GOWON IS A RETARD, IF YOUNGER GENERATION ARE PEOPLE LIKE ALAO AKALA, GBENGA DANIEL,IKEDI OHAKIM, ANDY UBA, TINUBU, ALAMESIEGHA etc THEN I PREFER THE OLDER GENERATION

All these people u made mentioned of, which of them is below 45 or even 50 years of age,
When we say younger generation, we talking about those with creative ideas and still in their 20's or 30's, those that understand what an average undergraduate is going through, those that have a good understanding of the current economic reality. not those with stale knowledge.

motiwakeup:

All these people u made mentioned of, which of them is below 45 or even 50 years of age,
When we say younger generation, we talking about those with creative ideas and still in their 20's or 30's, those that understand what an average undergraduate is going through, those that have a good understanding of the current economic reality. not those with stale knowledge.

Is this a joke?
I remember thinking I knew it all at 15. 40ish is about the proper minimum for the Presidency and thats very very young!

Not only the retired Generals, but retread politician should let young generation to rule. We may not be able avoid the likes of Bankole

safariman:

Not only the retired Generals, but retread politician should let young generation to rule.  We may not be able avoid the likes of Bankole

 
In as much ur statement is true, when the new breed take over,  The likes of bankole will be FULLY prosecuted by law or the citizenry takes d law into their hand,   "Gun powder Law"