89-year-old former Military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, on Sunday celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with thanksgiving at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja.
The couple exchanged vows on April 19, 1969, at the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, during Gowon’s tenure as Nigeria’s Head of State.
Family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to join the celebrants in commemorating their wedding anniversary during the thanksgiving service.
The couple presented the Holy Communion at the altar, during the service, which also marked the third Sunday after Easter in the Anglican Church’s liturgical calendar.
During the service, Mrs Gowon read the Old Testament lesson from 1 Kings 17:17-24.
Venerable Tiwatope Elias-Fatile, Vicar of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, congratulated them on their milestone anniversary, commending them for their dedicated service to the nation and the church.
Elias-Fatile, who extolled their exemplary role as a couple within the Christian community, invoked blessings of physical and spiritual strength in all aspects of their lives.
“I pray that the good Lord gives you physical and spiritual strength in every aspect of your lives.
“In your position, you have become an adviser, mentor, counsellor to many families and I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and use you to continue your good work for our country and many homes,” Elias-Fatile prayed.
Gowon was Nigeria’s Military Head of State from Aug. 1, 1966 to July 29, 1975.
Yakubu Dan-Yumma “Jack” Gowon was born 19 October 1934.
He is a retired Nigerian army general and military leader..
As head of state of Nigeria, Gowon presided over a controversial Nigerian Civil War from 1967 – 1970 and delivered the famous “no victor, no vanquished” speech at the war’s end to promote healing and reconciliation.
An Anglican Christian from a minority Ngas family of Northern Nigeria.
Gowon is a Nigerian nationalist, and a believer in the unity and oneness of Nigeria.
Gowon’s rise to power followed the July 1966 counter-coup and cemented military rule in Nigeria.
Consequently, Gowon served for the longest continuous period as head of state of Nigeria, ruling for almost nine years until his overthrow in the coup d’état of 1975 by late Gen Murtala Mohammed.