ABUJA—Fifty years after his administration ended a brutal civil war with the Igbo, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), confessed, yesterday, that the Igbo nation had been marginalised in Nigeria’s polity.

Gowon, who spoke at a public event organised by Igbo Leadership Development Foundation, called for the adoption of appropriate measures to ameliorate the pains of the Igbo.

Gowon, who was represented by a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, spoke at the debate for National Unity with the theme: “Federal Character, Restructuring and Rotation of Presidential Power in Nigeria.”

The former head of state, who ended the Nigerian civil war with the slogan ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’, said Nigeria had what it takes to cater adequately for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or creed.

The former leader, however, suggested the convocation of a constitutional debate on restructuring to undertake a holistic correction of the observable imbalances that had kept Nigeria down over the years with a view to making progress and promoting national unity and cohesion.

He said: “I believe that a lot of injustice has been done to the Igbo and a constitutional debate on restructuring must address all imbalances and restore hope and confidence.

Nigeria is big enough for all of us and I believe that the Igbo, Middle Belt and the Yoruba are the true Nigerians because if you look round our borders, people came from abroad and are still coming but Ndigbo have always been there, Middle Belt people have always been there, even Yoruba have always been there.

People who came in yesterday who have a duty of respect are now the ones talking. Going forward, we must create a federal democracy that will respond positively to all the aspirations of our people not about East-West but all about working together in equality, bringing in the youths and the women to build a new Nigeria.”

The former head of state pointed out that Nigeria remains incomplete without Ndigbo, adding that the nation needed to properly harness the intelligence, creativity and hard work of Ndigbo for national growth and development.

According to Gowon, God did not make mistake by making Ndigbo part and parcel of Nigeria. He, therefore, called for justice, equity and fair play in Nigeria.

Gowon maintained that while restructuring was critical to national advancement, it must be carried out in an atmosphere of tolerance and love for one other.

”I am not a friend of hate speech and bitterness but a friend of patriotism because Nigeria is dear to my heart and I believe in bright future of Nigeria and Ndigbo and that together, we can make our country great,” he said.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/igbo-still-marginalised-in-nigeria-gowon/

The truth gradually coming out from the right source. Better late than never at all. Compensation will soon become an issue of discussion.

Because Ibos see everything through the prism of Osu cast system

This man, again?

Is he feeling guilty?

The igbos he massacred and his zone,even with the marginalization,who is feeling the heat now?

He never knew tomorrow.

If u check the poverty index, igbo it at the lowest.

Go to states in the east,they produce virtually everything they need.
What do his region boast off?

If things continue as it is,in the next ten yrs,middle belt will be completely dominated and taken over by the fulanis the way they took over hausaland.

So,go and fight for your region and leave igbo alone.

We will never fall for these receipts anymore

Witcher:
Because Ibos see everything through the prism of Osu cast system

NOW calm down and re- read what you just wrote and judge your sence..

Witcher:
Because Ibos see everything through the prism of Osu cast system

The problem with folks like you is that your sense of reasoning has been clouded with so much sentiments that there is absolutely no iota of space for objectivity.

Witcher:
Because Ibos see everything through the prism of Osu cast system

haters of truth... keep hiding under a female moniker,,, ASSHOLE

Thank You general Gowon our hero for saying the truth

that's why you are greater than ojukwu.

All these stories are tales of a dieing man who is constantly hunted by his past.

Igbos can't be bothered. The blessed race has survived all odds and will continue to flourish.

Time will separate Igbos from Nigeria. it may delay, may not even be in our life time but will happen

Gowon go and die

I keep asking this question, please can someone tell us how Igbos are marginalised in Nigeria.

I look around and I do not see it.

Please help my ignorance and explain. Thanks.

No reasonable Igbo man will listen to a genocidice like Gowon the hero of yorubas and Hausafulanis.

sassysure:
This man, again?

Is he feeling guilty?

The igbos he massacred and his zone,even with the marginalization,who is feeling the heat now?

He never knew tomorrow.

If u check the poverty index, igbo it at the lowest.

Go to states in the east,they produce virtually everything they need.
What do his region boast off?

If things continue as it is,in the next ten yrs,middle belt will be completely dominated and taken over by the fulanis the way they took over hausaland.

So,go and fight for your region and leave igbo alone.

We will never fall for these receipts anymore

Oga stop lying
Your poverty index is the highest after the north
Your entire SE IGR isn't up to the ogun state
Your land is barren of resources,let it be barricaded and you'll all die of hunger like it happened before

Witcher:
Because Ibos see everything through the prism of Osu cast system

Shawara sis. Ki sauke pic dinki for your safety!! Lots of psycho's on this forum .

Always with the marginalization sh*t... una no dey tire?

Don't we all agree that poverty is highest in the north as with western education being low?
Why aren't we crying marginalization? Na only igbos waka come?

Chi efo.....now u know.

This Topic is irrelevant now. It's Hocus-pocus, a political jargon. It's GOWON who launched "no Victor no vanquished".. Yoruba Proverb: "Recue a chick from Death of probably a snake bite, and it asked to be left to dig it's father's grave".

RESTRUCTURE NIGERIA AND THE IGBOS CAN BE PRESIDENT FOR EVER.

To Amotekun, Akeredolu and Deji: The Igbos are getting worse than Bandits and FULANI HERDSMEN. I learned that they have bought all the Lands at Arakale Road at AKURE. Remember that it was an Igboman who entered The Deji's Palace with a Crown on his head calling the Deji's Attention before he was beaten up by "OMODE-OWA".

[s]

FrLukas:
I keep asking this question, please can someone tell us how Igbos are marginalised in Nigeria.

I look around and I do not see it.

Please help my ignorance and explain. Thanks.

[/s]

tatatar:

Oga stop lying
Your poverty index is the highest after the north
Your entire SE IGR isn't up to the ogun state
Your land is barren of resources,let it be barricaded and you'll all die of hunger like it happened before

so why forcing an assumed cursed land to remain in Nigeria?

Those asking why Igbos always claim to be marginalized, should just read through nairaland daily and see hate filled post about the Igbos. Then just imagine giving those savages who post trash daily elective positions in Nigeria, the result will be unfavorable policies against the Igbos and nepotism. That's what is happening in Nigeria.