General Yakubu Gowon's Address to Nigerians on Independence Day - October 1, 1967

"Fellow Nigerians, I wish to call upon all on this
seventh anniversary of our independent existence as a
nation to rededicate yourselves to the task of
building a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria: a
Nigeria in which every citizen regardless of his or
her religious belief, or ethnic origin will have equal
opportunity with his fellow Nigerians.

"As you all know this seventh anniversary is not an
occasion for festive celebrations.

"The Armed Forces of our country have been waging a
disciplined but hard campaign to put down a rebellion
in the East Central state of Nigeria; a rebellion
conceived, nurtured and executed by Emeka Ojukwu and
his collaborators after the failure of their mad bid
to subjugate and dominate all Nigeria in the exclusive
interest of their ethnic group.

"Neither the Federal Military Government nor the
people of Nigeria wanted this war.

Conference

"Every avenue of peace was fully explored, beginning
with the ad hoc constitutional conference of August
1966 and terminating with the last minute peace move
by a number of eminent and representative Nigerians
who, in their patriotic anxiety to find a peaceful
solution to the crisis, sent a peace mission to Ojukwu
in Enugu.

"You all will recall how Ojukwu sought the failure of
the ad hoc conferences on the constitution first, by
using his agents to terrorize the delegates by bomb
explosions, and then by boycotting the conference
totally.

"From then on the rebels in Enugu were determined to
turn their backs on the country and to escalate the
crisis by every means at their disposal to a level
which should rule out a peaceful settlement.

"The Government-sponsored Radio Enugu and all the
newspapers in the East were organised to whip up the
emotions of the people, rumours were spread of
impending attacks on Lagos and on several important
installations elsewhere in the federation.

"These rumours were subsequently confirmed by the bomb
explosions which destroyed the Ore bridge, a wing of
the Federal Palace Hotel and Government residential
quarters in Ikoyi.

"The effect of this campaign of hate and terror was to
build up tension not only in the Eastern states but in
many other parts of the country.

"It was in this charged atmosphere that the well
founded story was released about the massacre of a
large number of men and women and children of Northern
origin resident in the East.

"This touched off violent reactions in the North in
September and early October 1966 such as Nigeria has
never witnessed before. I strongly condemned this
incident and all right-thinking Nigerians deplored it.

"Then, as now, the Government was willing to explore
ways in which the survivors of this episode could be
cared for and rehabilitated, but Ojukwu and his clique
were determined to make that incident the occasion for
putting into effect their pre-meditated plan for the
complete break up of Nigeria, after their failure to
dominate Nigeria.

"Even so, the Federal Military Government did not give
up its peace efforts as well as its determination for
conciliation to the Ibos.

"It was as a result of this search for a peaceful
settlement that the Aburi meeting was held.

Enthusiasm

"It is now a matter of history that the Federal
Military Government conceded to Ojukwu everything he
asked for at Aburi except one thing, and that was to
agree to a break up of the federation. This, I could
not and will never agree to. I am happy that my firm
stand on this fundamental question has now been
vindicated by the enthusiasm with which Nigerians
everywhere have committed themselves to the continued
existence of Nigeria as one country.

"The whole of Africa at the recent OAU conference has
also vindicated our stand in their clear commitment to
the territorial integrity and unity of Nigeria and
their condemnation of secession.

"If Ojukwu had sincerely wanted a peaceful settlement
of this crisis he might have used the Aburi decisions
as a way out of the deadlock. Instead, he proceeded to
seize Federal establishments in the former Eastern
Region and, by an edict of April 16, 1967, he took
over all Federal statutory bodies and assets located
in the Eastern States.

"Ibo employees in the Western states and in Lagos were
stampeded into returning home while Ojukwu intensified
his illegal purchase of arms. When the clouds of war
were thickening fast, a number of eminent Nigerians
decided to form a national reconciliation committee.

Condition

"The committee met me in Lagos and also visited Enugu
from where they brought back certain conditions which
if fulfilled by both sides, could have arrested the
drift to an armed conflict.

"The main element was that the Federal Government
should lift the economic sanctions imposed on the East
and that the East in turn should end its flagrant
defiance of Federal Government Authority.

"It is on record that the Federal Military Government
immediately accepted these proposals and implemented
them: but it is also well known that the Post Office
vans and postal orders which were sent to the East by
the Federal Government in the implementation of the
committee's recommendations were seized in Enugu in
further defiance of the Federal Government.

"Ojukwu made no attempt whatsoever to reciprocate.
Instead not only were military provocations stepped up
on the innocent villagers of the Benue/Plateau State
who had been constantly terrorised by Ojukwu's rebel
forces but Ojukwu went as far as declaring total war
on the rest of Nigeria and immediately proceeded with
the bombing of defenceless civilians in various parts
of the country.

"In the circumstances, I had no choice but to order
police action to arrest the situation and to preserve
the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as
prevent Nigeria as well as prevent Ojukwu from
subjugating and destroying the five million non-Ibos
in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, who had all
along made clear their desire to remain Nigerians.

"Fellow Nigerians, you all know what a marvellous job
the Federal forces have been doing. In the military
campaign, so far, we have not lost a single battle.

"Federal forces now control the whole of Ogoja
Province in the South Eastern State and have also
established effective and firm control over most of
the Mid-West State.

"Enugu is at present under siege and is expected to
fall any time from now.

"It is well known however, that Ojukwu has been
putting out false propaganda about military victories
which the rebel forces had never won. Unfortunately
Ojukwu's propaganda is being re-echoed in the foreign
press and radio, with tragic consequences for his
rebel soldiers and innocent civilians who are
constantly being pushed by the deceit to certain death
at the hands of the superior Federal troops.

Time

"Only a few days ago, he announced that Opi and Nsukka
had been recaptured at a time when Federal forces were
not only in control of these areas but were in fact,
converging on Enugu.

"These are certainly not the actions of a man who has
the best interest of his people at heart.

"It is therefore foolhardy for the ordinary Ibos to
continue this hopeless and suicidal struggle.

"Now is the time for all those people whom Ojukwu has
misled to abandon him and his collaborators, as it is
utterly senseless to prolong the fighting and
unnecessary suffering.

"In the interest of the younger generation of the East
Central State, I hope that my appeals will soon be
heeded.

"If they are not, the military campaign will continue
until the three Eastern States are fully integrated
with the rest of the Federation.

"The government does not under-rate the task before it
and I hope that I can continue to count on your
whole-hearted support in this fight for the survival
of our fatherland and in the work of national
construction and reconciliation which lies ahead.

"The Ibos, when they are returned to the fold, must be
given their rightful place and as a people who have
been misguided and misled by their leaders, the rest
of us have a duty to bind their wounds and give them
our right hand of fellowship.

Constitution

"After the cessation of hostilities, the new
constitution for Nigeria will be determined by the
representatives of all the states, who will also help
in deciding the precise form of governmental
institutions the system of revenue allocation and
arrangements for ensuring free and fair elections in
the future.

"The Federal Government in consultation with the state
governments, will arrange for the re-settlement of
victims of the upheavals of 1966 and 1967.

"Committees have also been set-up to examine the
various problems of economic and social reconstruction
in the post-war period.

"It now remains for me to thank on your behalf, our
gallant fighting men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

"Theirs is a noble role of defending the honour and
integrity of this country. They have lived up to
expectations and have proved their worth, loyalty and
devotion to duty.

"The nation salutes them and its gratitude has been
clearly demonstrated by the Armed Forces' Comfort
Fund.

"Fellow Nigerians we are now on the threshold of a new
Nigeria.

"Past attitude of mind dominated by the tribal
approach to the solution of our problems will have no
place in the new Nigeria. Fortunately, in spite of
Ojukwu's wicked propaganda, religion has never been a
cause of conflict in Nigeria and it is my fervent hope
that all Catholics, Moslems and Protestants will
continue to work and live together in harmony.

"By the enthusiastic acceptance of the 12 states, the
nation has recognised that all ethnic groups
regardless of their religious beliefs, have a part to
play in the rebuilding of Nigeria, both at the local
and national levels.

"The sacrifices will be heavy but the cause is worthy
and just.

"Long live the Federation of Nigeria.