During Biafran Wàr Some Soldiers Said Gowon Should Have Been A Catholic Priest – Adams Oshiomhole

At an event where former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon was present, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole praised Gowon for his leadership during the Biafra War.

 Oshiomhole shared a story about how a former military officer told him that Gowon, as Head of State, always emphasized the importance of treating the war as a family issue. He said Gowon consistently urged his officers to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and focus on the goal of keeping Nigeria united.

In a live coverage by Symfoni TV from 4:00, Oshiomhole said the officer, who later became president, revealed that some military personnel believed Gowon was so compassionate that he should have been a Catholic priest instead of a military leader because of his deep concern for human life.

In Oshiomhole’s words: “I had opportunity of asking a former General who later became President of Nigeria and he told me as a young officer in Nigeria’s most challenging period, which President Goodluck Jonathan refered to, that when they want to go on the offensive you (Gowon) will say ‘please remember this is a family affair, we must not spill blood, we must remember that the objective is to keep Nigeria one’. He said some soldiers said General Gowon should have been a Catholic priest and not a military officer because he doesn’t like any life being wasted. So sir, you have done much more to keep Nigeria one”.