Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) on Thursday<\/p>\n
said that military coups after his were not for the defence and unity of
\nNigeria, but for other selfish reasons.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of a book, \u2018Vindication of a General\u2019
\nwritten\u00a0 by former Chief of Army staff, Lt General Ishaya Rizi Bamaiyi
\n(retd), Gowon said Military participation in politics did more harm to the
\ninstitution than\u00a0 good.<\/p>\n
According to Gowon, after waging a civil war for the country\u2019s unity,
\nsubsequent coups did havoc on the military profession. He said someone
\nlike General Bamaiyi, due to his candour and professionalism, represents
\nthe best the military profession has ever produced.<\/p>\n
\u201cI commend the candour and integrity of General Bamaiyi and his resilience
\nof standing up and expressing his views to his superiors even when he knew
\nthey were not the same with those of his superiors,\u201d the former military
\nleader recalled.<\/p>\n
The war-time leader called on the Nigerians to find time to document their
\nodyssey in the public life, so as to give younger generation an
\nopportunity to study what transpired in the past.<\/p>\n
The book presenter, Professor Sam Egwu, described the book, \u2018Vindication
\nof a General\u2019 as a moving narration that is hinged on humility and
\nforgiveness. He said the 252-page book is laced with accounts of betrayals
\nand personal deprivations of someone who rose from a corporal to become
\nthe Chief of Army Staff. The book, according to Egwu, is divided into four
\nsections, with 16 chapters.<\/p>\n
Beyond being a moving narration by an army general on the various
\nbetrayals and the power games that trailed military politics in Nigeria,
\nthe book reviewer said \u2018Vindication of a General\u2019 is a book that unveils
\ncertain issues of the past.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the occasion, General Bamaiyi called on the military
\nauthorities to focus on improving the welfare of soldiers, adding, \u201cIf you
\nplace the welfare of your soldiers first, they can give their lives for
\nyour defence. But if you ask soldiers to cough out N10 million to purchase
\na house, then what it means is that you are encouraging them to go to the
\nroad and steal. I have tried to see the present Chief of Army Staff, Gen
\nTukur Buratai, on this issue. I am happy I can see so many officers here.
\nAt least, I have sent my message across anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n
He recalled an instance in the past where soldiers were fleeing from
\ninsurgents in the North-east during the government of President Goodluck
\nJonathan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my village, a soldier told me that he had fled the North-east due to
\nnon-provision of bullets and ammunition. Disturbed by the news, I sought
\nan audience with President Goodluck Jonathan. When I finally saw him and
\nspoke to him on the situation in the North-east and how soldiers were
\nfleeing the troubled zone, he said that he had heard of such and doubted
\nif the money he was releasing to the military was being used for that
\npurpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we have heard what has happened with some of the service chiefs. It
\nis not true that we are all the same. We must serve with integrity and do
\nwhat is expected of us. We should be seen to be standing for the truth,\u201d
\nBamaiyi declared.<\/p>\n
Distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life attended the event, among
\nthem are Minister of Defence, General Dan Manir Ali (retd), former
\nSecretary to the government of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Yayale,
\nAmbassador Shehui Malami, Senators Saminu Turaki, Adamu Aleiro, Shehu
\nSani, former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha,\u00a0 Major Hamza
\nAl-Mustapha, Kola Abiola, son to late MKO Abiola and retired military
\ngenerals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) on Thursday said that military coups after his were not for the defence and unity of Nigeria, but for other selfish…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":51666,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n