Dr Chuks Alozie, the Director-General of Global Awareness for Public Safety Foundation (GAPS), says former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is the father of Nigeria’s unity and progress.
Alozie, in a message on Sunday in Abuja to commemorate Gowon’s 90th birthday, applauded his peace initiatives and prayers for Nigeria, ECOWAS and Africa in general.
The GAPS director-general doubles as the Abia State Coordinator Nigeria Prays, a pet project of Gowon, aimed at gathering men and women who intercede on behalf of Nigeria and her well-being.
“The prayer group also prays for the progress and prosperity of the nation, leaders at all levels, economic advancement and peace of the country.’’
Alozie, a clergyman, commended Gowon for always ensuring that the organisation lived up to expectations to date.
He recalled the Gowon’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s projects as Head of State, such as the establishment of the National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) programme, the unity schools, among others.
According to Alozie, these projects have played a significant role in bringing Nigerians together through education and call to national service; thereby, fostering unity and togetherness for a common goal.
On the international scene, Alozie listed the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1973, with Gowon as one of the founding fathers.
He said that Gowon’s administration was among the forces that brought liberation to the Republic of Zimbabwe and the and Republic of South Africa through ECOWAS.
“You have played significant role in Africa through the establishment of regional political and economic union (ECOWAS) in 1973; your government brought liberation to Zimbabwe and later South Africa.
“Your administration worked closely with the then Organisation of African Unity(OAU), now African Union(AU); it was at this commitment to Africa’s unity and progress you lost your government while attending OAU submit in Addis Abab, Ethiopia, in 1975.’’
He recalled that Gowon recently said that as a living witness on ECOWAS establishment, that neither his generation nor current and future generations would not accept the break-up of ECOWAS.
Alozie said that Gowon’s call for the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger– the four countries ruled by transitional powers following military coups, showed his love to unity and peace.
“Your commitment to prayers for our country through hosting and attending spiritual programmes to pray and seek for God’s intervention in the affairs of Nigeria is highly commendable,” Alozie said.
The GAPS director-general wished Gowon a happy birthday and thanked him for always being on the part of unity in Nigeria, ECOWAS and Africa in general.
He prayed to God to grant the former head of state good health and more years of celebrations. (NAN
