Tip Gowon for Nobel Peace Prize: Oba Mekunu urges Tinubu
Prominent lawyer and politician, Oba Mekunu Owolabi Salis, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as distinguished global leaders and institutions, to advocate for conferring the Nobel Peace Prize on former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
Salis made this appeal while paying tribute to Gowon during the statesman’s 90th birthday celebration, describing him as “one of Africa’s most effective and beloved leaders.”
Reflecting on Gowon’s leadership during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Salis praised the retired General’s emphasis on national unity and reconciliation. “Gowon’s slogan of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ after the war and his policy of ‘Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Re-integration,’ popularly known as the ‘Three Rs,’ exemplify his commitment to rebuilding a united Nigeria,” Salis said.
According to him, this strategy distinguished Gowon as a great leader whose efforts should be recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.
“It is for this reason that General Gowon stands out as the most deserving potential beneficiary of the Nobel Peace Award,” Salis asserted.
He described the former leader as an “astute statesman” who effectively assembled a capable team, including notable figures such as Tony Enahoro, Obafemi Awolowo, and Aminu Kano, all of whom shared an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress. This, Salis emphasized, contributed significantly to the success of Gowon’s administration.
Drawing on Nigeria’s political history, Salis recounted the controversial treatment of Obafemi Awolowo during the Coker Commission of Enquiry and the treason trial.
“These were perceived as deliberate attempts to persecute Awolowo, and by extension, the entire Yoruba ethnic group,” he explained. Salis highlighted Gowon’s pivotal decision to release Awolowo from prison and offer him a key role in his administration. “This gesture went a long way in appeasing the aggrieved Yoruba community and fostering a sense of national belonging,” he said.
Salis noted that Awolowo’s appointment as Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council, equivalent to a Prime Minister in a civilian government, allowed him to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development. “Awolowo’s remarkable ability to manage Nigeria’s wartime economy without resorting to external borrowing remains a testament to his leadership,” Salis said, adding that this role provided a sense of fulfillment for Awolowo and his supporters.
Salis also recounted General Gowon’s efforts to reconcile with prominent figures, including Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. “In line with his belief that a man should not leave the earth burdened by the grief of others, Gowon surprised many by attending Soyinka’s birthday and publicly apologizing for his arrest and detention during the civil war on charges of espionage,” Salis recalled.
He noted that this act of humility and repentance demonstrated Gowon’s commitment to making amends.
The politician also highlighted Gowon’s personal resilience in the face of adversity, noting his calm response to the military coup that overthrew his government while he was attending an OAU summit in Uganda. “Despite the shock, he quickly adjusted to life as a student at the University of Warwick, facing public scrutiny with grace,” Salis recounted.
He described how Gowon patiently stood in line for meals alongside younger students and endured baseless allegations of complicity in the Dimka coup.
Salis concluded by praising Gowon’s unwavering faith in the power of truth and justice. “Gowon’s life is a testament to moral courage and the triumph of truth over falsehood.
His leadership stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that light will always prevail over darkness,” Salis said.
The call for General Yakubu Gowon’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize is rooted in his enduring legacy of reconciliation, unity, and nation-building.
Salis emphasized that recognizing Gowon with this prestigious award would honor his exemplary contributions to Nigeria and the African continent.
