General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s second military ruler (1966-1975) had the singular distinction of being the country’s youngest ruler at 32. He had ruled the country for nine years and was yet to be 41 when he was overthrown by some of the officers who had put him in office. In spite of his relatively young age, he was blessed with wisdom that enabled him to successfully pilot the affairs of the nation at its most critical period.
Gowon’s place in Nigeria’s history can be seen and judged from three perspectives: the events preceding the advent of the military in 1966 up to the overthrow of the first military ruler, the nine years of his rule and the post-Gowon era up to the present day.
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