Nigerian Civil War: I will tell my story in 2017 – Gowon

Former Nigeria’s Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has said he would publish a book telling his own side of the Nigerian Civil war story in 2017.

He said this in Abuja on Wednesday, when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani led a delegation of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) on a visit to the former head of state.

Sani urged the former head of state to author a book on the war, stating that it has become expedient for the 82-year-old former head of state to tell Nigerians what actually transpired in view of the numerous versions written by many authors.

He said the history of Nigeria would not be complete if Nigerians did not get his side of the story.

“Your silence to us is full of content. Perhaps, if you go without writing your own side of the story you will be indebted to the future generation of Nigeria.

“I wonder what goes through your mind when you go read what people write about the civil war.

“I am here to protest your refusal to write a book on the civil war under moral gunpoint.

“Perhaps there are things you are avoiding – things you think are explosive; but Nigerians deserve to be told the truth.

“Truth hurts, but it heals.

“You must write a book for us to know what we passed through before getting here.

“Every Nigerian – dead and alive – appreciates your role,’’ he said.

Responding, Gowon said he was already working on his autobiography and promised to publish it in 2017.

“Thank you for coming to make a request for me to tell my story – a story you have not heard from me personally.

“When I read what people were saying after my overthrow, I said I would not trust any journalist.

“I am working on my autobiography.

“It should have come out in 1980, but within the next year, something will come,’’ he assured.

The Civil War took place between 1967 to 1970 under to rule of Yakubu Gowon.

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