Yakubu Gowon: The Man Who Kept Nigeria One

Yakubu Gowon is a Nigerian military leader who served as the head of state from 1966 to 1975. He is best known for his role in keeping Nigeria one during the Biafran War.
Gowon was born on October 19, 1934, in Pankshin, Nigeria. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1954 and rose through the ranks quickly. In 1966, he became the head of state after a military coup.
Gowon's presidency was marked by the Biafran War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970. The war was fought between the Nigerian government and the breakaway state of Biafra. Gowon's government was determined to keep Nigeria one, and he prosecuted the war vigorously.
The war was a bloody and costly affair, but Gowon's government emerged victorious. In 1970, Biafra surrendered, and Nigeria was reunited.
After the war, Gowon's government focused on rebuilding the country. He introduced a number of economic and social reforms, and he also promoted national reconciliation.
In 1975, Gowon was overthrown in a military coup. He went into exile in the United Kingdom, where he remained for many years. He returned to Nigeria in 2008.
Gowon is a controversial figure in Nigerian history. He is praised by some for keeping Nigeria one during the Biafran War, but he is also criticized for his role in the war and for his authoritarian rule.
Despite the controversy, there is no doubt that Gowon is one of the most important figures in Nigerian history. He played a key role in keeping Nigeria one, and he helped to shape the country's future.
In recent years, Gowon has become an outspoken advocate for peace and unity in Nigeria. He has called for an end to the violence and bloodshed that has plagued the country in recent years.
Gowon's message of peace and reconciliation is a timely one. Nigeria is a country with a long history of conflict and division, but Gowon believes that the country can overcome its challenges and build a better future for all its people.