Yakubu Gowon
General Yakubu "Jack" Gowon (born 19 October 1934) is a Nigerian politician and general. He was the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He ruled during the deadly Nigerian Civil War. He took power after the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup and was overthrown in the 1975 Nigerian coup d'état.[1]
Yakubu Gowon | |
|---|---|
| File:Yakubu Gowon (cropped).jpg Yakubu Gowon | |
| 3rd Head of State of Nigeria | |
| In office 1 August 1966 – 29 July 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi |
| Succeeded by | Murtala Mohammed |
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office January 1966 – July 1966 | |
| Preceded by | Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Akahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 October 1934
(aged 91) Kanke, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now Kanke, Nigeria) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Spouse(s) | Victoria Gowon |
| Alma mater | Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Staff College, Camberley Joint Staff College, Latimer University of Warwick |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | Jack |
| Allegiance | File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria |
| Branch/service | File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1975 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Congo Crisis Nigerian Civil War |
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Yakubu Gowon Media
- MIdwest Invasion of 1967 map.svg
Approximate lines of attack used by the Biafran forces during the Midwest Invasion of 1967. The northern pincer is to Auchi and Okene, while the southern pincer is towards Sapele, Warri and Ughelli.
- General Yakubu Gowon.png
1966 portrait of Lieutenant Colonel (later General) Yakubu Gowon
Nigerian Public Domain