Nigeria’s former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, on Thursday said the 1967-1970 civil war remains a crucial part of Nigera’s history, with profound lessons.
He stated this at the Fifth Edition of the Nigerian Civil War (NCW) Symposium organised by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).
Reflecting on his experiences as Head of State, he said the key lessons from Nigeria’s Civil War, should be importance of unity, and ethical leadership amongst others.
He stressed that the lessons are not confined to the past but are essential for enhancing the nation’s current and future military operations.
According to the Elder Statesman who was the Special Guest of Honour at the symposium, “The Nigerian Civil War remains a crucial part of our history, with profound lessons for us all. As someone who served as Head of State during this unstable period, I can attest to the complexities and challenges we faced. Reflecting on those experiences, I am reminded of the critical importance of leadership and decision-making in times of conflict.”
He encouraged participants, particularly operational-level commanders, to internalize these lessons, fostering a sense of duty, patriotism, and commitment to national unity and peace.
The event is an integral part of Module 6 (Military History) of the AWCN curriculum, providing a platform for presentations and discussions on the Nigerian Civil War.
The event had as its theme “The Dynamics of Leadership and Decision Making During the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Operational Level Commanders.”
By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
