At 80 Gowon Explains: ‘Nigeria’s Problem Is Not Money, But How To Spend It’

FORMER Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has explained circumstances surrounding the statement: “Money is not Nigeria’s problem, but how to spend it”, which is credited to him.
Though, the former Head of State did not come out to defend the expression directly, he put the issue in perspective in his address to audience that included youths that had gathered to honour him during his 80th birthday in Abuja.

He said the saying originated in a discussion between him and the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria at the time.He said: “It was one morning during the civil war that the Governor of the Central Bank at the time called the security line that was meant only for urgent messages, saying he had something urgent to tell me, which could not be discussed over the phone. I was worried and had to cancel all the engagements for the day. Many things went through my mind. Was it about lack of money to prosecute the war, lack of money to pay civil servants and money to finance development? “But when he came, the look on his face did not show any sign of worry. I then asked what it was that could not be discussed on the phone. He told me that he had so much money that he did not know what to do with it! I heaved a sigh of relief and told him never to come to me for such a thing. I wondered why somebody will come all the way to tell me that kind of thing when we had so many things to do with money at the time.”Meanwhile, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has congratulated General Gowon on his 80th birthday anniversary.Anyaoku said: “My wife and I are delighted to join his family and many friends in Nigeria and abroad, in sending warmest congratulations to General Dr Yakubu Gowon on his 80th birthday; and for me, I welcome Mon General to the club of “the oldies”.He added: “There are not many people whose lives, notwithstanding their share of human frailty, can be truly described as exemplary in as many milieus as that of General Dr Yakubu Gowon GCFR.”Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, on his part said: “Gowon is one the Nigerians I have great admiration and respect for: a man of courage, patriotism and love. He stands tall among his peers in the history of this nation; a global statesman indeed. He was a gentleman officer with a passionate heart for God, driven to serve humanity in peace and love.“He symbolises the Nigerian working relentlessly yesterday, today and tomorrow for the unity of our dear nation. He’s God’s gift to us. “We celebrate an ever smiling and available vessel of the Almighty, full of wisdom at 80 years.“We on the Plateau wish our distinguished son many more years of strength for the service of our father land.”