PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, made a veiled reference to what seems to be the soft approach of his administration towards the fight against insurgency, citing General Yakubu Gowon's principle of not crushing his enemies.Speaking at the service to commemorate Gowon's 80th birthday at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, Jonathan described him as a great example of a genuine elder statesman, who was accommodating of even his enemies, in the interest of peace and unity of the country.He spoke of Gowon's commitment to Nigeria and his disposition during and after the Nigerian civil war, especially with his pursuit of the three 'Rs', reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation.'As a patriotic and head of government then, he did not see the Biafran side as a thing that must be crushed. He saw the war as a struggle of Nigerians and his emphasis was 'how do we keep Nigeria together.''It was not 'we must crush them or we must defeat them'. Of course, that was why the slogan, 'To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done,' came up and, of course, 'Go on with one Nigeria'.'That is, his commitment is to unite this country, to keep Nigeria one, not to win a war or to defeat an opponent, not to crush a rebellion, but how to bring the nation as indivisible body,' Jonathan observed.Jonathan noted Gowon's effort to galvanise Nigerians into prayer for unity and his cooperation with succeeding administration to develop the country.'He hardly misses Council of State. If we call for Council of State and Gowon is not there, it must be for something inevitable,' he said.The president congratulated General Gowon on his birthday and thanked God for keeping him young and active at 80.He specifically thanked Victoria, the celebrant's wife, for enabling the former head of state to have his life.In his response, General Gowon thanked Nigerians for the encomiums poured on him and advised that they call on God in time of need, as He would never disappoint.He said without the cooperation, prayers and advice of Nigerians, he would never have been able to achieve what he achieved in life.In a tribute, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, described Gowon as 'a good man indeed' and thanked God for his life.The Archbishop of Jos, Anglican Communion, Dr Ben Kwashi, in his sermon, also referred to Gowon as 'a complete gentlemen with amiable disposition.'In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejajor, noted that the gathering was to celebrate Gowon's humility, 'Nigerianess' and what he had done for the country.Also present on the occasion were Senate President, David Mark, Governors David Jang (Plateau); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Dr Alex Ekwueme and wife, Beatrice; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma; General Oladipo Diya, Brigadier-General Jones Arogbofa (Chief of Staff to the President) and ministers; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chief Ufot Ekaette, Professor Jerry Gana, Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Bishop Nicholas Okoh, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Victor Attah, Dr Ahmadu Ali, among others.
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