Reflecting on late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s tenure, former Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon expressed his belief that Nigeria could have seen significant improvements if Yar’Adua had completed his term.
Gowon highlighted the positive impact Yar’Adua made during his short time in office and praised his efforts in achieving key milestones for the country.
Addressing the audience during the first President Umaru Musa Yar’adua international leadership conference and awards organized by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success in Abuja, Gowon emphasized Yar’Adua’s decision to grant amnesty to Niger Delta militants as a strategic move to rejuvenate the nation’s economy.
Yar’Adua assumed the presidency in 2007 but tragically passed away in 2010 due to health complications.
Discussing Yar’Adua’s character, Gowon described him as a man of integrity and honesty. He commended Yar’Adua for acknowledging the flaws in his path to power and initiating corrective measures, despite the lack of follow-through by subsequent leaders.
“He was sincere and transparent in his approach to problem-solving, and his commitment to eradicating corruption in governance was unwavering,” Gowon added.
Gowon also praised Yar’Adua’s implementation of the amnesty program in the Niger Delta region, emphasizing its pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s economy.