It was who is who as President Bola Tinubu on Thursday led prominent Nigerians to grace the public presentation of “Brutally Frank,” an autobiography of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

Tinubu who is the special guest of honour was represented by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

The former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is the chairman of the day.

The book presentation also attracts other personalities including Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, who is the chief launcher; Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi; wife of late former Head of State, Maryam Abacha; traditional rulers including Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and Attah Igala, Àtá Matthew Opaluwa, among others.

Among the governors present at the occasion are Edo, Delta, Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba

Major-General Yakubu Gowon (retd), under whose administration Chief Clark served as the federal commissioner for information and foreign affairs, said he never had any form of argument with the author.

Gowon said: “I can assure you I’ve never had any difficulty or argument with him. It was most amicable and respectfully given. However, considering a strong personality, there were of course times that he would vehemently disagree with his colleagues, commissioners and military officers and worked hard to convince them of why his own position is better than theirs.

“He was helpful not only in explaining government policies and programmes in the efforts to rebuild our unity in the country. I also find him useful in our vision of building a common identity within the West African subregion.”

The former Head of State noted that “Brutally Frank” is a good chronicle of the events that happened under his administration.

Gowon added: “I, therefore, found his personality and partnership skills assets in visiting various West African countries to canvass the need for us to have a common regional body which today is known as ECOWAS. Of course, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs certainly did a very good job along with his efforts.

“So this book, ‘Brutally Frank,’ therefore, is a very useful chronicle of what transpired in Nigeria during his lifetime of service. I am hopeful that the younger generations would be better informed on the experiences, which has brought the country to what it is today on which our president Bola Ahmed Tinubu who would have been here with us but represents the centre of our common aspirations of peace, unity and progress.” (The Nation)

Update news