“No Bloodshed!” — Historian Reveals How Gowon’s Final Words During 1975 Coup Showed His True Love for Peace

In a recent interview on the Edmund Obilo Show, historian and author Adebayo Adeolu, who wrote “Sani Abacha: Nigeria’s Most Powerful Defence Minister and Head of State,” revealed a powerful and often-overlooked detail about General Yakubu Gowon’s fall from power in 1975.

Adeolu disclosed that when news of the coup reached Gowon, the then Head of State ordered his aides and security personnel not to resist or spill any blood.

“When Gowon was going to be overthrown, he said, ‘make sure nobody’s killed, we have seen enough of it,’” Adeolu quoted.

According to the historian, Gowon’s reaction reflected his deep weariness with Nigeria’s cycles of violence — particularly after the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), which he had led. Instead of clinging to power, Gowon chose peace over conflict, showing a level of restraint rare among military rulers of his time.

“That single moment showed Gowon’s moral strength and his genuine desire for a peaceful Nigeria,” Adeolu said, describing the act as one of the most humane moments in Nigeria’s military history.


Gowon, who was attending the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Summit in Uganda when he was ousted, quietly accepted his removal and later devoted his life to reconciliation and peacebuilding — cementing his reputation as a statesman of grace and humility.

European Union pledges support for Nigeria amid possible U.S. military action reports; signals readiness to enhance security cooperation.

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria, emphasizing respect for the country’s sovereignty and a focus on peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and human rights protection.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the EU’s stance is independent and based on a long-standing partnership and shared values with Nigeria.

He assured that the EU and its member states would continue to uphold Nigeria’s sovereignty while supporting victims of violence, authorities protecting citizens, and efforts to promote peaceful coexistence across ethnic and religious communities.

Mignot highlighted the EU’s readiness to boost support in security and defence, working with civil society, traditional leaders, and religious organizations. He cited ongoing programs on deradicalization, demobilisation, and reintegration of former members of non-state armed groups in the North-East.

The ambassador stressed protection for minorities and religious freedom, noting that while challenges remain, Nigeria’s legal framework supports human rights. He said EU assistance is non-discriminatory, covering all victims of violence, and reinforced interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence initiatives.

He added that EU-Nigeria cooperation is based on mutual interest in a stable, prosperous, and democratic country, with plans for a security and defence dialogue to deepen strategic collaboration.

The statement comes after US President Donald Trump threatened military action over alleged anti-Christian violence, labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and warning that aid could be cut if attacks on Christians continue.

Nigeria Seeks UN Partnership for $10bn Long-Term Fund to Address Internal Displacement.

The Federal Government has appealed to the United Nations for support in accessing a $10 billion long-term financing plan aimed at tackling the country’s growing internal displacement and humanitarian challenges.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, made the appeal during a roundtable on “Humanitarian Development and Peacebuilding Approaches to Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons” held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Bagudu said the government could deploy such financing ideally at a four percent interest rate to create wealth among displaced populations while addressing the root causes of displacement. He noted that donor-based grants were shrinking and urged the UN to help Nigeria tap into the capital market for sustainable, long-term funds.

He added that the government’s fiscal policies were designed to reduce waste, empower subnational governments, and promote inclusive development through programmes like the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Plan and Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities (SOLID) initiative, which maps economic opportunities across 8,809 wards nationwide.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, stressed that Nigeria’s humanitarian response must transition “from relief to resilience,” focusing on prevention, national leadership, and coordinated accountability.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Fall, commended Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, pledging continued UN support to help displaced persons “regain their dignity and rebuild their lives.”

ABU Spends just ₦4 Billion Yearly on Electricity — VC Cries Out Over Soaring Bills.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has revealed that the institution spends nearly ₦4 billion yearly on electricity, describing the situation as crippling and unsustainable.

Speaking at a news conference marking ABU’s 63rd anniversary, Ahmed said the heavy energy cost was affecting research and academic activities. He disclosed that the university was pursuing energy self-sufficiency through partnerships and innovations, including renewable energy projects.

According to him, the Federal Government had provided ₦1 billion through TETFund and approved a 10-megawatt solar power project, while alumni groups, such as the SBS Class of 1975, were already supporting solar initiatives on campus.

The VC lamented that insecurity and poverty continued to hinder education and development in the North, urging renewed research in agriculture and peacebuilding. He noted ABU’s strength in agricultural research, with institutes like IAR and NAPRI leading regional innovation.

Ahmed also highlighted the university’s growth from four faculties in 1962 to 18 faculties, 110 departments, and 17 research centres making it the largest university in sub-Saharan Africa.

He announced that ABU had been ranked the best public university in Nigeria by Times Higher Education in 2025 and is one of three Nigerian universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.

The VC further revealed that the university had secured over $15 million in World Bank Centres of Excellence grants and a €5 million Horizon grant for an AI-driven disease diagnosis project. Staff and students have also registered over 30 patents across renewable energy and pharmaceuticals.

Despite these successes, Ahmed warned that funding shortages, brain drain, and infrastructure decay remained major challenges. He urged ABU’s alumni to “give back” through endowments and donations, saying, “The Sardauna gave you opportunities; now it’s time to give back.”

Warri Crisis: Ex-Reps Member Slams Senator Dafinone Over ‘Reckless, Divisive’ Comment

Former Warri Federal Constituency lawmaker, Daniel Reyenieju, has blasted Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) over his remarks on Saturday’s violent clash between Itsekiri and Urhobo youths in Warri.

Dafinone had condemned the violence but described the attack on the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) House as “an attack on the entire Urhobo Nation.”

Reyenieju, however, called the statement reckless, divisive, and unbecoming of a legislator, accusing Dafinone of prioritising a building over human lives and inflaming ethnic tension rather than calming it.

He urged the senator to “retraces his steps, temper his language, and focus on building unity,” stressing that Warri needs peace and inclusiveness, not further division.

#WarriCrisis #DeltaState #PeaceBuilding

Security: CDS Launches Student Group to Tackle Violent Extremism

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has inaugurated a student-led initiative—Students Against Violent Extremism (SAVE 1 & 2)—aimed at combating extremist ideologies in Nigeria's North-East through non-violent means.

At a multi-sector conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, General Musa urged youths to act as “non-combatant soldiers” by sharing intelligence with the military and using social media to counter terrorism narratives. The event also featured the launch of his book, Taking A Stand Against Insurgency and Terrorism.

The SAVE project, targeting students and youths in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, forms part of the military’s non-kinetic strategy to defeat insurgency. General Musa stressed early engagement of young people in peacebuilding efforts and acknowledged the role of stakeholders in recent counterinsurgency gains.

He also visited wounded soldiers at Maimalari Military Hospital, where a philanthropist pledged to donate houses for injured troops.