"I saw not victory after the war, but a new and happier world after the victory" - John Buchan
EVEN while prosecuting the Civil War, General Yakubu Gowon was thinking about how to win the peace that would inevitably ensue. In a radio broadcast to the nation on October 1, 1970, he outlined a nine-point programme of action that encompassed far-reaching security, political and economic dimensions. The political vision Gowon outlined were truly demonstrative of his outlooks and progressive disposition as a military man. He proposed to address the issue of creation of more states, the adoption of a new constitution, conceiving of new national political parties, and conduct of general elections by 1976 to hand over power to civilians.
His economic programmes were no less significant and far-reaching. He proposed to accelerate the implementation of the Second National Development Plan and the repair of all war damages, adoption of a new revenue allocation formula and ending corruption in Nigeria. The Second National Development Plan 1970-1974 proved pivotal to the consolidation of the national economy. Nigeria emerged from the war a much stronger nation than before. It was the most attractive market on the African continent. Its industrial development was accelerating while investments were beginning to rapidly flow into the country.
The failure to adhere to the promise to hand over power to civilians in 1976 proved to be the Achilles heel of the administration. It was probably out of care and concern for the fledgling state of the country than any personal desire to continue to rule that created such ambivalence in the mind of the hero. The toppling of his government on July 29, 1975 on the basis of this disagreement with his comrades was a memorable episode and a significant footnote in Nigeria's history.
Before he finally exited under the cloud of disagreement with his comrades, Gowon's achievements were numerous and well entrenched across the fabric of Nigeria's structures and ample spaces. The reconstruction of damaged property in the rebel territory, especially industrial facilities, was well under way. The cement factories in the South-East for instance, were instantly reactivated and their capacities expanded. Fertilizer production increased while other activities like motor vehicles assembly plants in Lagos and Kaduna were established to produce the Volkswagen and Peugeot brands respectively.
The transport sector received much deserved attention with the construction of 2,200 miles of roads and another 1,600 miles under way. Enugu airport was reconstructed, while contracts for the construction of airports in Kano, Lagos, Ilorin and Calabar were awarded by his government. The Nigerian National Shipping Line, NNSL, was revitalised with the purchase of new ships, the repair of old ports and the construction of new facilities. The aviation sector received a new lease of life with the purchase of new aircraft and the upgrading of airports.
In terms of human development, no better testament can be given to Gowon's achievements than the dramatic increase in school intakes. Primary school enrolment rose from 3.5 million pupils in1970 to 4.5 million in 1973. Secondary school enrolment doubled from 343,300 in 1971 to 649,900 in 1974. Twenty new Federal Government Colleges, four new Colleges of Technology and nine new Trade Centres were established during the years following the Civil War. The Federal Schools of Arts and Science in Mubi, Ogoja and Sokoto were established to decentralise educational facilities and take development to far-flung corners of the country.
Higher education received its fair share of attention with the expansion of university enrolment reaching 25,000 students in 1974 from just 14,500 in 1971. Likewise, Nigeria's health sector was being revolutionised with the expansion of facilities in institutions like the Specialist Hospitals in Benin, Enugu, Ilorin and other cities. The University Teaching Hospitals in Lagos, Ibadan and Enugu were given a new lease of life. The first phase of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was also completed during this time. Overall, more than 300 health, maternity centres and dispensary facilities were established across the country by Yakubu Gowon.
It was during Gowon's time that the concept of food security became a national policy and a preoccupation of the Federal Government. The Second National Development Plan revolved around the expenditure of N3.192 billion in capital projects that included an expanded outlook towards agricultural development. Substantial amounts were allocated to reviving plantations in the South-East, while allowance was made for the growth of extension services in all parts of the country. Fertilizer imports and production was intensified. The government of the North-Western State alone distributed 40,000 tons of fertilizer to farmers in the state.
Hundreds of thousands of acres (later hectares) were brought under cultivation through expanded irrigation systems in different parts of the country. The construction of dams was embarked upon and most importantly, the River Basin Development Authorities, RBDA, became a standard fixture of agricultural modernisation in Nigeria. The evidence of modernisation of Nigeria started from his era and continued in fits and starts ever since then. With his departure, the assuredness, the assertiveness and the conviction of a special mission left Nigeria, to be replaced by nagging doubt, furtive restlessness and tentative approaches to everything.
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Yakubu Gowon's abiding faith in the country that he built is akin to a religious conviction about the immutability of the Nigerian nation and its continued significance in the lives of every Black person on earth. His life, times and legacies are beyond comparison and the reproach of both history and human predilection to fault everything that exists. While we celebrate General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, in his 90th year on this earth, great may he remain and memorable may his life, times and legacies be, as we ourselves grow old and fade away from the scene that he built, nurtured and made worthwhile for us all to cherish and hold true and dear.
