Former Lagos governor and All Progressives Congress National Stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has congratulated former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as he turns 85 today, Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Former military leader, General Gowon, served as Head of state of Nigeria from 1966-1975.

In a statement on Friday night made available by his Media Office in Lagos, Asiwaju Tinubu described General Gowon as a statesman who contributed immensely to nation-building.

He said: “I congratulate former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as he clocks 85 on October 19, 2019. He is a statesman and national icon who contributed enormously to Nigeria’s unity and development.

“Nigeria owes General Gowon a debt of gratitude for his efforts at resolving ethnic tensions that threatened to fatally divide the country and for his continued and untiring efforts at building One Nigeria.

“It’s on record that after the civil war, General Gowon propounded the ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ policy aimed at bringing about national reconciliation, which thrives on his personal influence.

“He has not looked back since then. He has not relented in his efforts geared towards forging national integration even at this advanced age. General Gowon has continued with the task of engendering peace and unity in the land with the ‘Nigeria Prays’ project.

“The General also laid the foundation for the decentralisation of the country with the creation of additional states and the division of Nigeria into 12 states.

“General Gowon was also one of the leaders who worked assiduously towards the formation of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to drive integration in the sub-region.

“I pray that God grant him many more years, good health and vitality to continue to contribute to nation-building and development and be a shining example to the younger generation that he has always been.”