Gowon: Edwin Clark’s Book Chronicles Major Events Under My Administration

*Jonathan eulogises former Head of State

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, yesterday said the latest book by former Minister of Information and a Niger Delta leader, Edwin. Clark, titled “Brutally Frank”gave an account of his administration and account of the civil war

The former Head of State spoke in Abuja, yesterday, during the launch of the book, which is an autobiography of Clark.
Gowon said Clark, who served as the federal commissioner for information and foreign affairs during his administration, worked in explaining government policies and enhancing national unity during his time as a public officer.

He praised the elder statesman for his strong character and respectful expression of his views.
“I can assure you, I’ve never had any difficulty or argument with him. It was most amicable and respectfully given,” Gowon said of his relationship with Clark.
“However, considering a strong personality, there were of course times that he would vehemently disagree with his colleagues, commissioners and military officers and worked hard to convince them of why his own position is better than theirs.

“He was helpful not only in explaining government policies and programmes in the efforts to rebuild our unity in the country. I also find him useful in our vision of building a common identity within the West African sub-region.
“I, therefore, found his personality and partnership skills assets in visiting various West African countries to canvass the need for us to have a common regional body which today is known as ECOWAS.

“So this book, “Brutally Frank”, therefore, is a very useful chronicle of what transpired in Nigeria during his lifetime of service.
“I am hopeful that the younger generations would be better informed on the experiences, which have brought the country to what it is today in which our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who would have been here with us, but represents the centre of our common aspirations of peace, unity and progress.”
Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan, told the audience at the book launch that he never have imagined attending the National Council of States meeting as a former President with former Head of State, Gowon.

According to Jonathan, who held the audience captive with his tale said, “I said Gowon was a very young man, young, but then, he was the Head of State when I was in Primary 5. Then, Diete-Spiff was our first military governor (Rivers State), a very young man at 24. When I was in primary 5, I couldn’t have imagined that one day, I would be a retired president, sitting with Gowon in the Council of State meeting.”

Jonathan commended Gowon for his contributions towards keeping Nigeria one during his tenure as Head of State.
Dignitaries at the event included the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi; the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), who was the chief launcher and a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah.

Others at the event included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Edo State Governor, Osarenwen Osunbor; and ex-Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, among others.