By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, Mr Yakubu Gowon, will offer a personal account of the Nigerian civil war, one of the country’s darkest events, in his long-awaited autobiography due for launch on May 19.

Mr Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 1966 to 1975, said the book intends to clarify several written perspectives and policies surrounding the birth of the Nigerian Civil War.

In a statement released ahead of the book’s public presentation, Mr Gowon said the memoir provides his personal perspectives on events often narrated by others, saying it is not intended to reopen old wounds.

The Nigerian Civil War, often regarded as one of the darkest periods in Nigeria’s history, began in 1967 and ended in 1970.

“The autobiography became necessary because many accounts of the civil war era had been written from different perspectives over the years without fully reflecting [my] own reasoning as Nigeria’s leader at the time,” the statement said.

He added, “By choosing to write, I took a conscious decision not to reopen old wounds but to clarify my thinking on policies and plans at a period often narrated by others.

“My story is one of conviction evaluated by circumstances at the crossroads of expectations and reality.”

The 881-page book, published by Havilah Group, gives a personal account of General Gowon’s life, leadership journey, and reflections on defining moments in Nigeria’s history.

The book is scheduled for unveiling on May 19 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to attend the event as a special guest of honour, while Mr Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence and ex-chief of army staff, will perform the formal unveiling.

The event is expected to draw prominent political leaders, military veterans, diplomats, and senior government officials.

The autobiography also chronicles Mr Gowon’s early years and his emergence as Nigeria’s leader at a critical point in the country’s history. Born in 1934, Mr Gowon became head of state and commander-in-chief on August 1, 1966, and served for nine years.

After leaving office in 1975 after being ousted by General Murtala Muhammad, he went on to earn a PhD in political science from the University of Warwick in 1984 and has since focused on peacebuilding, national development, and spiritual leadership.

His post-service initiatives include the “Nigeria prays” movement and advocacy against guinea worm, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through the Yakubu Gowon centre.

He also serves as Nigeria’s national goodwill ambassador for the control of viral hepatitis.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A Federal High Court has sentenced former Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison over the diversion of N33.8 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.

Mr Mamman, who served as Minister of Power from August 2019 to July 2021, was accused of overseeing the alleged diversion of funds during his tenure.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said he diverted the funds using some ministry officials, private companies, and Bureau de Change (BDC) operators.

He was also reported to have purchased the Taraba State governorship forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC), while separately facing another case at the FCT High Court in Maitama, where he is accused of diverting N31 billion meant for the Mambilla Power Project.

Delivering the judgment today, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mr Mamman, who is on the run and was absent at the last court sitting, on each count and ordered that the sentences run consecutively, bringing the total to 75 years.

The court also ruled that the sentence will begin to run from the day the convict is arrested, and ordered all security agencies, including Interpol, to apprehend him wherever he is found.

Monies recovered, along with forfeited properties, are to be remitted to the Federal Government, while the convict is also ordered to pay the outstanding balance of ₦22 billion tied to the affected hydroelectric power projects.

He was removed from office by the late president in 2021 and arrested by the anti-money laundering organisation four months after. He was said to have used embezzled funds of up to N33.8 billion to acquire properties.

Last week, the judge confirmed that Mr Mamman made a cash payment of $655,700 (equivalent to N200 million) for landed property in Abuja, without recourse to a financial institution.

He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the federal government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant projects.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has said it will ensure full implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA 2025) as well as protect the interests of the insured public from fraudulent activities of fake insurance institutions.

To this end, the commission said it is currently collaborating with the Nigerian Police Force as well as engaging members of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents (ARIAN) to ensure implementation of the Act.

Recently, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, to discuss strategies for deepening collaboration on the implementation of the NIIRA 2025 and its accompanying reforms.

Speaking during the meeting, the insurance commissioner Omosehin, pointed out that NIIRA 2025 was enacted to modernise Nigeria’s insurance landscape, promote transparency, and safeguard the interests of millions of Nigerians who rely on insurance for financial security.

He stressed that NAICOM could not achieve full compliance and market discipline without the active support of law enforcement agencies.

In his response, Mr Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the police to partner with NAICOM, promising to provide the necessary operational and legal backing to ensure that offenders were brought to justice and policyholders’ rights fully protected.

In a related development, NAICOM and ARIAN recently agreed to strengthen collaboration to enforce NIIRA 2025 and Protect Insurance Consumers.

NAICOM at the meeting reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the enforcement of the NIIRA 2025 framework and protecting Nigerian insurance consumers from unauthorised and predatory practices, through strategic engagement with ARIAN.

Signed into law on August 5, 2025, the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 fundamentally overhauls the sector to strengthen financial stability, increase penetration, and align with international standards, replacing the 2003 Insurance Act.

Key reforms include higher risk-based capital requirements, mandatory digitisation, enhanced policyholder protection, and strict enforcement of compulsory insurance.