Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (The Book Presenter's) Speech @ The Book Presentation Of Gen. Yakubu Gowon

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]Your Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief represented by the Vice President, the author of the book, I stand on the existing protocol.

[00:00:15]It's a great pleasure for me to stand before you today to represent at one time when I had the same singular honor to represent General TY Danjuma at the launching of President Babangida's autobiography.

[00:00:38]I said then that General Babangida was my professional father because he was an instructor when I was a cadet in NDA.

[00:00:50]At that time, I considered General TY Danjuma as my grandfather because at that time when I was commissioned in 1972, he was the my first GOC and later on became the Chief of Army Staff.

[00:01:14]So, today I don't know what to say.

[00:01:16]I have a father, a grandfather, so today is great grandfather, I think.

[00:01:22]Because he was the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief when I was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1972.

[00:01:32]And it's great for me to remember I had a privilege, a very rare privilege, to meet with General Gowon. I will never forget that day in Addis Ababa. He was coming from Burundi and I was coming from Darfur and it was just after the election that brought President Buhari into power.

[00:01:54]We had dinner together and we spoke on so many things. But, one thing I had the courage I have to summon the courage to tell the then uh head of uh former head of state is, "Please, when are we going to read your book?

[00:02:13]Please, write. I'm so glad that he had done that, and I'm even privileged to have a role to say on that day. Thank you very much, sir, for writing.

[00:02:24]Now, let me go straight to the comment I was given by the person I'm representing.

[00:02:33]People say soldier of the soldiers, that is General TY Danjuma, and I quote what he has given me.

[00:02:43]I am delighted to pay this tribute to Nigeria's foremost living statesman, former head of state, wartime commander-in-chief, my military boss, and international icon, His Excellency General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, GFR, on this momentous occasion of the public presentation of his autobiography today, Tuesday, 19th May 2026.

[00:03:13]General Gowon is not only a household name in Nigeria, but also a global acknowledged leader with impeccable record and outstanding credentials in leadership, nation-building, military strategy, peace-building, and conflict resolution, among many other noble endeavors.

[00:03:36]As Nigeria's head of state during one of the most troubling period in our nation's history, General Gowon exhibited immense courage and sterling qualities in steering our beloved country from the brink of disintegration to a united, stable and strong nation.

[00:04:02]His well-recorded slogan of no victor, no vanquished after the civil war set the tune for a highly effective post-war policies of reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation, which helped to speedily heal the scars of the war and put Nigeria on the path of sustainable recovery.

[00:04:33]He will ever be remembered as a leader whose love for his country and fellow citizen was unwavering even in the most trying time.

[00:04:45]On a personal note, I have been fortunate to know General Gowon from my teenage years in Wusasa, Zaria, more than seven decades ago, where we our paths first crossed, making the beginning of what has become a lifetime relationship and friendship between us.

[00:05:07]As a student in St. Bartholomew Primary School, Wusasa, I was always excited to see him in Government College, later Barewa College, Zaria, you know, from whenever he visited his parents in Wusasa. I would then looking forward to attending Government College, Zaria, like him for my post-primary education. Unfortunately, I was admitted only at Katsina Ala Middle School instead of Zaria. After my secondary school education, I gained admission into Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Zaria, where I saw some of my fellow students wearing military uniform, and I was told that they belonged to the college cadet core.

[00:05:56]I was fascinated by the jungle hat, which ignited my interest in army uniform. I consequently decided to join the college cadet core, where the foundation for my military career was laid. During my service years, General Gowon became a mentor, a role model, a leader, and a boss whose impacted on my career was very whose impact on my career was very profound, and has continually to shape my military values.

[00:06:30]Professionally, some of some beliefs and even world views, even as at today.

[00:06:39]My admiration for General Gowon goes beyond our personal friendship, and is defined by his loyalty to Nigeria, motivated by his avowed commitment to involved a strong, united, and prosperous Nigeria.

[00:06:54]In later years after public service, his love for Nigeria further manifested in his pet project, Nigeria Prays.

[00:07:05]Like many Nigerian, I was looking forward to reading General Gowon memoirs someday. I will I'm glad that General Gowon has finally brought this much anticipated project to life. The book, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, tells a unique story, and it's indeed a gift to Nigerians and the world.

[00:07:29]It gives readers a rare opportunity of going back in time to read first-hand account of some of the most significant events in our nation's history. I have had the privilege to peruse an advanced copy of the book and I can say that it is not only engaging but also filled with many historical records that would be of interest to historian, policy makers, bureaucrats, administrators and the general public. From my personal collection and the knowledge of some of the happenings in the military and the nation the book reviewer Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has done a great job.

[00:08:18]Before I end this tribute, let me express my gratitude to my one-time commander-in-chief for not allowing the business strategy business strategic and political differences that he and I may have had to affect our mutual respect and friendship either in or out of service.

[00:08:42]On behalf of my family, I congratulate General Gowon for taking time to write his memoirs and to be quick the and country and the world of the treasures trove of history that will no doubt remain one of the most best work of its kind.

[00:09:06]I also congratulate Her Excellency Mrs. Victoria Gowon for remaining a a strong pillar of support to her husband in this project.

[00:09:18]Please accept my woman facilitation and to thank you all as the chief presenter he has he's encouraging all the other presenters and people here to procure the book for for for their friends, for other schools, but for him.

[00:09:39]He is He asked me I think I better use the right word. He directed me He directed me to make a pledge of presentation for the book in the sum of 3 billion.

[00:10:04]And he said he has got 20 doctorate awarded doctor 20 doctorate degrees from 20 universities.

[00:10:20]Because of that, he will want each of those universities to get 12 copies for their libraries.

[00:10:28]That is 20 * 12 universities that have And once again, he said he's giving the sum of 3 billion. Thank you.