Retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma pledged N3 billion and Alhaji Aliko Dangote donated N500 million at the public presentation of former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s autobiography on Tuesday.
The 20-chapter book, titled My Life of Duty and Allegiance, was unveiled in Abuja before Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu. The event drew top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and senior military officers.
The former Minister of Defence, Danjuma, who served as Chief Presenter, was represented by former Chief of Defence Staff Retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai. He also directed that 12 copies of the book be bought for each of the 20 universities that have conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Gowon.
In his tribute, Danjuma called Gowon Nigeria’s foremost living statesman and an international icon whose wartime leadership kept the country united. He highlighted Gowon’s post-civil war policy of reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation, summed up in the slogan “no victor, no vanquished.”
Danjuma said his friendship with Gowon spanned more than 70 years, dating back to their childhood in Wusasa, Zaria. He described the memoir as “a treasure trove of history and a gift to the world.”
Dangote was represented by Mansur Ahmed, Senior Adviser to Dangote Group. Ahmed said the N500 million donation covered the purchase of 25 copies of the book. He noted that Dangote was 10 years old when Gowon led Nigeria through the civil war, and that the former Head of State’s efforts to preserve unity created the stable environment that allowed Dangote to build a pan-African business.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other corporate leaders also made purchases. Alhaji Abdul-Samad Rabiu, President of BUA Group, acquired copies worth N25 million.
The book was reviewed by Bishop Mathew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto and prominent author and social commentator. Bishop Kukah described the memoir as a sincere personal perspective on pivotal moments in Nigeria’s history.
Recall that General Yakubu Gowon launched his 881-page autobiography in Abuja on Tuesday May 19 with prominent national leaders in attendance.
The memoir clarifies key historical decisions and policies during his time in power, particularly the Nigerian Civil War.
Gowon stated that the book is intended to correct misinformation and clarify the thinking behind his decisions, rather than reopen old wounds or divide the nation.
