'The Dawn of National Reconciliation' - Gowon's Victory Message to the Nation,

Citizens of Nigeria,

It is with a heart full of gratitude to God that I announce to you that
today marks the formal end of the civil war.  This afternoon at Dodan
Barracks, Lt. Col. Phillip Effiong, Lt. Col. David Ogunewe, Lt. Col. Patrick
Anwunah, Lt. Col. Patrick Amadi and Commissioner of Police, Chief Patrick
Okeke formally proclaimed the end of the attempt at secession and accepted
the authority of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria.  They also
formally accepted the present political and administrative structure of the
country.  This ends thirty months of a grim struggle.  Thirty months of
sacrifice and national agony.

Exactly four years ago on January 15, 1966, a group of young army officers
overthrew the Government of the country with violence.  The country hoped,
however, that the military regime which followed would quickly restore
discipline and confidence in the army and introduce a just, honest,
patriotic and progressive government.  The country was disappointed in those
hopes.  There were further tragic incidents in the army leading to the death
of many officers and men in July 1966.

I then assumed the leadership of the Federal Military Government.  I gave a
solemn pledge to work to reduce tension in the army and the country, to
restore the Federal Constitution and to prepare the country for an orderly
return to civilian rule as early as possible.  Despite my efforts and to
co-operation of all other members of the Supreme Military Council, the
former Lt. Col. Ojukwu pushed us from one crisis to another.  This
intransigent defiance of Federal Government authority heightened tensions
and led to the much regretted riots in September/October 1966.  He
subsequently exploited the situation to plunge the former Eastern Region
into secession and the nation into a tragic war.

The world knows how hard we strove to avoid the civil war.  Our objectives
in fighting the war to crush Ojukwu's rebellion were always clear.  We
desired to preserve the territorial  integrity and unity of Nigeria.  For as
one country we would be able to maintain lasting peace amongst our various
communities; achieve rapid economic development to improve the lot of our
people; guarantee a dignified future and respect in the world for our
prosperity and contribute to African unity and modernization.  On the other
hand, the small successor states in a disintegrated Nigeria would be victims
of perpetual war and misery and neo-colonialism.  Our duty was clear.  And
we are, today, vindicated.

The so-called "Rising Sun of Biafra" is set for ever.  It will be a great
disservice for anyone to continue to use the word Biafra to refer to any
part of the East Central State of Nigeria.  The tragic chapter of violence
is just ended.  We are the dawn of national reconciliation.  Once again, we
have an opportunity to build a new nation.

My dear compatriots, we must pay homage to the fallen.  To the heroes, who
have made the supreme sacrifice that we may be able to build a nation great
in justice, fair play, and industry.  They will be mourned for ever by a
grateful nation.  There are also the innocent men, women, and children who
perished, not in battle but as a result of the conflict.  We also honour
their memory.  We honour the fallen of both sides of this tragic fratricidal
conflict.  Let it be our resolution that all those dead shall have not died
in vain.  Let the greater nation we shall build be their proud monument
forever.

Now, my dear countrymen, we must recommence at once in greater earnest, the
task of healing the nation's wounds.  We have at various times repeated our
desire for reconciliation in full equality, once the secessionist regime
abandoned secession.  I solemnly repeat our guarantees of a general amnesty
for those misled into rebellion.  We guarantee the security of life and
property of all citizens in every part of Nigeria and equality in political
rights.  We also guarantee the right of every Nigerian to reside and work
wherever he chooses in the Federation, as equal citizens of one united
country.  It is only right that we should all henceforth respect each other.
We should all exercise civic restraint and use our freedom, taking into full
account the legitimate right and needs of the other man.  There is no
question of second class citizenship in Nigeria.

On our side, we fought the war with great caution, not in anger or hatred,
but always in the hope that common sense would prevail.  Many times we
sought a negotiated settlement, not out of weakness, but in order to
minimize the problems of reintegration, reconciliation, and reconstruction.
We knew that however the war ended, in the battlefield, or in the conference
room, our brothers fighting under other colours must rejoin us and that we
must together rebuild the nation anew.

Those now freed from the terror and misery of the secessionist enclave are
therefore doubly welcome.  The nation is relieved.  All energies will now be
bent to the task of reintegration and reconciliation.  They will find,
contrary to the civil [thus in press release; but probably 'evil'?]
propaganda with which they were fed, that thousands and thousands of Ibos
have lived and worked in peace with other ethnic groups in Lagos and
elsewhere in the Federation throughout the dark days of the civil war.
There is, therefore, no cause for humiliation on the part of any group of
the people of this country.  The task of reconciliation is truly begun.

The nation will be proud of the fact that the ceremony today at Dodan
Barracks of reunion under the banner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was
arranged and conducted by Nigerians amongst ourselves alone.  No foreign
good offices was involved.  That is what we always prayed for.  We always
prayed that we should resolve our problems ourselves, free from foreign
mentors and go-betweens however well intentioned.  Thus, our nation is come
of age.  And the meaning of today's event must be enshrined in the nation's
memory for ever.

There is an urgent task to be done.  The Federal Government has mounted a
massive relief operation to alleviate the suffering of the people in the
newly liberated areas.  I have as announced, assigned special responsibility
for this to a member of the Federal Executive Council.  We are mobilizing
adequate resources from the Federal Government to provide food, shelter, and
medicines for the affected population.  Rehabilitation and reconstruction
will follow simultaneously to restore electricity, transport and
communications.  We must, as a matter of urgency, resettle firms and reopen
factories to ensure that normal economic life is resumed by everyone as soon
as possible.  Special attention will be given to the rehabilitation of women
and children in particular, so long denied the comfort of homes, the
blessing of education and the assurance of a future by Ojukwu's wicked
tyranny and falsehood.  We must restore at once to them hope and purpose in
life.
Federal troops have a special charge to give emergency relief to the people
in the areas they have liberated before civilian help can come.  They must
continue and intensify their splendid work in this regard.  The state
administrations are giving emergency relief the first priority.  The
Rehabilitation Commissions and the Voluntary Agencies are extending their
efforts.  The appropriate agencies of Federal Government will soon make
further announcements about additional relief measures.

My Government has directed that former civil servants and public corporation
officials should be promptly reinstated as they come out of hiding.
Detailed arrangements for this exercise have been published.  Plans for the
rehabilitation of self-employed people will also be announced shortly.
The problem of emergency relief is a challenge for the whole nation.  We
must prove ourselves equal to the task.  Our resources, which have enabled
us to prosecute the war successfully and without obligations to anyone, are
considerable. I appeal to the nation for volunteers to help in the emergency
relief operations in the newly liberated areas.  Doctors, nurses, engineers,
technicians, builders, plumbers, mechanics, and administrators - all skilled
hands willing to help are urgently required.  The detailed arrangements for
recruitment will soon be announced.  I am sure that there will be a prompt
and good response to this call.

You will have heard that my Government may seek the assistance of friendly
foreign governments and bodies, especially in the provision of equipment to
supplement our national effort.  There are, however, a number of foreign
governments and organizations whose so-called assistance will not be
welcome.  These are the governments and organizations which sustained the
rebellion.  They are thus guilty of the blood of thousands who perished
because of prolongation of the futile rebel assistance.  They did not act
out of love for humanity.  Their purpose was to disintegrate Nigeria and
Africa and impose their will on us.  They may still harbour their evil
intentions.  We shall therefore not allow them to divide and estrange us
again from one another with their dubious and insulting gifts and their
false humanitarianism.

Regarding the future, we shall maintain our purpose to work for stability
with the existing political structure of a minimum of twelve states.  The
collision of three giant regions with pretentions to sovereignty created
distrust and fear and to the tragic conflict now ending.  The multi-state
structure will therefore be retained with the minimum of the present twelve
states.  Immediate post-war planning and reconstruction will continue on
this basis.  Any new constitution will be the result of discussion by the
representatives of all the people of Nigeria.

I am happy that despite the war, Nigeria has maintained a strong and
expanding economy.  Plans are also far advance for faster economic
modernization.  Our enormous material resources and our large dynamic
population will make this possible.  We are pledge to ensure rapid
development for the benefit of the Nigerian people themselves.  It will be
much easier to achieve reconciliation and reintegration in increasing
prosperity.

Fellow countrymen, the civil war is truly over.  We thank God.  But the
state of national emergency and emergency regulations remain.   Discipline
and sacrifice are essential if we are to achieve our goals in the immediate
post-war period and lay sound foundations for the future.  I demand of you
patience, resolution, and continued dedication.  I demand of the workers and
employers continued restraint in industrial relations in keeping with the
recent decree.  A decree on price control will soon be promulgated.  We
shall soon review wages and salaries to improve the lot of the ordinary man.
The immediate economic problems are challenging and we must behave
accordingly.

On this occasion, I wish to place on record the nation's gratitude to the
Organization of African Unity for its splendid diplomatic and moral support
for the Federal cause.  I thank particularly the Chairman of the
Consultative Committee on Nigeria, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I and
the other members of the committee.  I also thank the President of the OAU
General Assembly, Presidents Mobutu, Boumedienne, and Ahidjo, who presided
over OAU summit discussions of the Nigerian crisis.  The enemies of Africa
were restrained by the demonstration of such solid support.  I thank the
Secretary General of the United Nations, U Thant, for his understanding
attitude towards our country's crisis and the specialized agencies for their
assistance.  I also thank the friendly governments who gave us moral and
material support in the darkest hour of our need.  The nation will remember
them as true friends.  It is the desire of my Government that our relations
with them should grow stronger.

Consistent with our basic policy, we shall maintain correct relations with
all foreign governments notwithstanding the anxieties they may have caused
us.  As we emerge from our greatest trial we shall endeavour to work for
peace in the world and for a better economic deal for the less developed
countries of the world.

The Armed Forces deserve the greatest praise for their valour in battle,
their loyalty and dedication and for their resourcefulness in overcoming the
formidable obstacles placed in our way.  I praise them for observing
strictly the code of conduct issued to them at the beginning of the
operations.  It is necessary now more than ever when the rebellion is ended
for them to maintain the high standard they have attained.  The letter and
spirit of the code must be obeyed.  Their first duty is to protect the lives
and property of all surrendering troops and civilians and to give them
humane treatment.  Stern disciplinary measures will be taken against any who
violate the code.  I know, however, that I can continue to count on your
loyalty and discipline.

I also praise the civilian population everywhere in the country for their
patience, sacrifice, loyalty, and steadfast support for the fighting troops
and for One Nigeria.  We must all be justly proud.
All Nigerians share the victory of today.  The victory for national unity,
victory for hopes of Africans and black people everywhere.  We must thank
God for his mercies.  We mourn the dead heroes.  We thank God for sparing us
to see his glorious dawn of national reconciliation.  We have ordered that
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday be national days of prayer.  We must his
guidance to do our duty to contribute our quota to the building of a great
nation, founded on the concerted efforts of all its people and on justice
and equality.  A nation never to return to the fractious, sterile and
selfish debates that led to the tragic conflict just ending.  We have
overcome a lot over the past four years.  I have therefore every confidence
that ours will become a great nation.  So help us God.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

____________________________
(1) Broadcast from Lagos, 15 January 1970.