Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo, Oba Ewuare II, has commended the nature and life style of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
The Monarch who gave the commendation on Monday in Benin during a courtesy visit to his palace by the former Head of State, thanked him for his “gentle military style” and his contributions towards the unity of the country.
He noted that despite the hardship and pains that came with the civil war, instead of punishing those behind the war, the former Head of State came up with “no victor no vanquished” which has helped to put the nation in the right position, adding that since the civil war ended, Gen. Gowon has been in the forefront of praying and working for the unification of the country.
“We want to thank and commend you for your gentle military style. Sir, after the civil war, instead of sanctioning those who were behind the war, you came up with the idea of “no victor, no vanquished. Sir, since the end of the civil war, you have been on with the message of go on with one Nigeria which connotes your name, Gowon,” he said.
The Oba who took time to recount the good old days Gen. Gowon had with his late father, Oba Erediauwa, urged him not to relent in his continuous prayers for the unity of Nigeria.
He informed the former military leader that the post-coronation activities were still ongoing, saying that he (Gowon) was a Statesman who was always welcome at the palace.
He assured that the palace and the Benin people would always pray for the country and promote national unity.
In his remark, Gowon explained that he was at the palace to congratulate the Oba on his coronation and to wish him a successful reign.
”I wish him (Oba) all the very best and wish him a joyful and successful reign for the good of the people, not only of his kingdom, but of the whole of the State and, of course, Nigeria, as his predecessors have done.
“I knew his father; he was very close to me. And therefore, I wish that his reign would be as successful as their reign and wish him well for the good of all of us.”
Gowon disclosed that he had been in the State since last Friday to pray for the South-South region and the entire country, through the ‘Nigeria Prays’ initiative.
The former Head of State who noted that God had solved many of the challenges facing the country through prayer, urged Nigerians not to relent in making their contributions through prayer.
“You know that God has solved a lot of our problems. What will it be without prayer? I think it (prayer) is doing it in many ways that you may not realise,” he added.