A JOURNEY IN SERVICE : An Autobiography
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Date
2025-02
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Abstract
It is one thing to be lucky to have the opportunity to lead one’s
country. It is a different thing to summon the courage to use the
opportunity of leadership to change the landscape of society in many
fundamental ways. Few leaders have the luck to do both and then live
to tell the story first-hand for the benefit of posterity. Former military
president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has had the distinction of
doing all these things with all of us as living witnesses. It is, therefore,
my great pleasure and honour to be invited to add a few words as a
foreword to this unique and much-awaited book.
I am proud to have witnessed much of General Babangida’s
‘Journey in Service’ and his professional and political career. I have
known Ibrahim since his days as a young officer. At some point, I
was so impressed by his intellect and outstanding professionalism
that he almost became my Aide-de-Camp (ADC). That story belongs
elsewhere, and I will leave him to tell it for the benefit of others who
did not have the privilege of proximity to our careers.
I can assert with pride that General Babangida was arguably one
of the most remarkable military officers this country is blessed with.
Brilliant but unassuming, gifted but sociable, a natural leader but
also a devoted follower, Ibrahim was destined for great things. It did
not come as a surprise when it pleased God to elevate him to the
summit of political leadership in our country’s days of military rule.
In the post-civil war period, his tenure in office is easily the
most remarkable in the lineup of military leaders that our nation
has witnessed. I say this without equivocation for so many reasons.
xii
Unlike some of us, his seniors, he tried to be the best of two opposing
worlds. He sought to be an officer and a gentleman in the finest
tradition. At the same time, he had unusual political sophistication
and savvy, which enabled him to freely navigate the complex world
of politics without losing grip of his command and control of the
military establishment. He was proud of his military background,
just as the military institution remained proud of his achievements
in the political management of the nation.
General Babangida’s strongest appeal is his love for the nation.
A man of impeccable patriotism and unfailing love for compatriots,
General Babangida felt at home all over the country. He was an
active combatant but came out of the war with no bitterness. Most
importantly, his empathy is unmatched; hence, he tried to touch the
economic, political, and social aspects of the nation’s life with far reaching reforms.
Naturally, his courageous effort to transform the nation’s economy
through self-reliance did not go down well with some vested interests.
Even more contentious was his far-reaching political programme.
He was not content with presiding over a military administration
but cared deeply about the democratic political dispensation that
would succeed his tenure. Therefore, he embarked on a far-reaching
and very fundamental political transition programme.
Based on my experience, politicians are hardly ever ready
to allow that programme to proceed unhindered whenever the
military is in power and undertakes to hand over power according
to a transition programme. Professional politicians always have a
way of writing themselves and their interests into every military and
political transition programme. This is often the root of the crisis
in every military-to-civilian transition programme. Therefore,
I am confident that just like our transition programme, President
Babangida encountered turbulence on his way to a very well thought-out transition, hence the crisis that occurred towards the
end of his tenure.
xiii
Nonetheless, it remains remarkable that General Babangida has
remained topical in the nation’s political discourse over three decades
after he left office. His importance is not just that he came to power
and presided over the nation’s affairs for the most extended period
in peacetime Nigeria. He remains remarkable as easily the most
innovative, courageous, and skilful military leader in the nation’s
political history. He summoned the courage to dare even where we,
his predecessors, feared to tread.
His footprints on the nation’s infrastructure are still evident in
the splendour of Abuja. His innovations and institutional reforms are
all around us as we continue to benefit from institutions such as the
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises
(BPE), the Technical Aid Corps (TAC), the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance
Corporation (NDIC), the National Communications Commission
(NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
This book is not just about his multiple contributions to national
life. He is on record already as Nigeria’s most documented leader.
This life story started privately and modestly and later became public
and historically consequential. This book takes us through national
history and General Babangida’s life of challenges, obstacles, and
triumphs. This is the life of a modest orphan boy and the career of a
devoted and outstanding soldier, patriot, and fine officer in the best
traditions of our military. Above all, this book is the testimony of a
statesman, an account of service rendered to the nation and people.
It is remarkably readable and fluid.
I know that A JOURNEY IN SERVICE is a response to a long standing demand of many Nigerians. Given the monumental and
historical changes that General Babangida presided over, it is only
natural that many Nigerians of different generations would be eager
to learn first-hand the motivations, the actual events, and the reasons
behind these far-reaching policies, decisions, and events, some of
which shook the nation to its very foundations.
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While congratulating General Babangida on this contribution
to history, I gladly recommend this book to the generations of
Nigerians to whom the period recounted has become a matter of
abiding interest.
To the youth of our land in particular, I recommend this book
as an essential piece of history from 1985 to 1993. I can only hope
that General Babangida has once again blazed a trail, challenging
our leaders to find time and courage to record their experiences in
office for the benefit of fellow Nigerians and posterity.
This book is a worthy work of history and an invaluable patriotic
service. Above all, it is a book whose time has finally come.
GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON, GCFR
Former Head of State &
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria