By J Isawa Elaigwu
This is a breathtaking work, certainly a labour of love! A
scholarly work of course – a biography of General Gowon of Nigeria; and the
references, even after every chapter, are so copious that the ordinary man
might wonder if it was even humanly possible to put all this together! A world
class work that will stand the test of time forever. It is also priceless for
research purposes, shedding scintillating life on Nigeria as a country and key
personnel. Again, it is a masterclass on the plethora of coups in Nigeria over
the decades and the pitiable Nigerian civil war that claimed so many
casualties. Through it all, Gowon is a recurring factor and the reader suddenly
realizes such a great, magnanimous, amiable, visionary leader like Gowon is
probably undermined especially by new generations. The author consistently
refers to Gowon as the Abraham Lincoln of Nigeria and Africa; and so it is –
with the complement of Shakespearean undertones. That such a man could have
emerged from Black Africa as it were is astonishing; and that a “man of the
gun” (soldier) could be so humane beggars belief. But again and again we see
evidence of this in this masterpiece of a work; especially his stance towards
Ojukwu, erstwhile supremo of “Biafra”, and the Ibo at large after the civil war
ends. One might even suggest that such a human being is pure work of fiction,
but everything recorded here is true. It is no surprise that even as regards
the meretricious stain on Gowon’s life – the possibility of involvement in the
Dimka coup – the author pitches his tent with Gowon and it is clear that he
does not believe Gowon could have been involved at all. The ordinary reader
would hasten to agree in this wise with the author as he follows the trajectory
of the protagonist’s life and realizes this is almost a Christ-like figure.
This work is a tour de force, and how congenial it would be if other African
academics can endeavour to put such a work together. One cannot but be
delighted that these days, in his 80s, Gowon is very much back on a pedestal,
which he richly deserves. A truly great man. But this more-than-excellent book
shows us all that Gowon deserves even much more…more…
- Eric Malome
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