General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) in his recently published autobiography , My Life of Duty and Allegiance” revealed how his trusted men betrayed him by conniving with solders who overthrew his governments in July 1975.
General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) in his recently published autobiography , My Life of Duty and Allegiance” revealed how his trusted men betrayed him by conniving with solders who overthrew his governments in July 1975.
Gowon fingered Joseph Garba, the former Commander of the Federal Guards Unit, and Anthony Ochefu, then Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Military Police, as key figures in the coup that ended his regime.
“Not only did I intimately know both men, but I had also grown to like and trust them over the years. Coincidentally, both were Christians and from my original home state, Benue Plateau,” he wrote.
That revelation confirmed one fact: Gowon never read William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. If he had, the old General never learnt the lesson from Caesar’s fall.
Shakespeare has offered the most famous lesson in betrayal in world literature.
Julius Caesar loved Brutus like a son. He was the closest friend of the warrior leader.
Yet Brutus was the one that wielded the knife that ended Caesar ‘s life.
Every leader must be aware of a Brutus next to him and guard himself or herself properly.
Shakespeare indeed has documented several case studies and lessons in betrayal.
Macbeth together with his wife Lady Macbeth betrayed and ki*ll*ed King Duncan to become the King of Scotland.
In Hamlet, Claudius ki*ll*ed his brother the king of Denmark in order to ascend the throne.
King Leah was betrayed by his thankless daughters, Goneril and Regan.
Had Gowon read Julius Caesar or any of the Shakespeare’s classics on betrayal, perhaps his story would have been different.
Of course, this is not a fresh advertisement for Shakespeare’s works, it’s a reminder for those who currently occupy the position of power.
Remember:
Et tu Brutus?
Then fall Caesar.
Watch the Brutus next to you.
Written By Ajibola Amzat
''HAD GOWON READ JULIUS CAESAR ..
General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) in his recently published autobiography , My Life of Duty and Allegiance” revealed how his trusted men betrayed him by conniving with solders who overthrew his governments in July 1975.
Gowon fingered Joseph Garba, the former Commander of the Federal Guards Unit, and Anthony Ochefu, then Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Military Police, as key figures in the coup that ended his regime.
“Not only did I intimately know both men, but I had also grown to like and trust them over the years. Coincidentally, both were Christians and from my original home state, Benue Plateau,” he wrote.
That revelation confirmed one fact: Gowon never read William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. If he had, the old General never learnt the lesson from Caesar’s fall.
Shakespeare has offered the most famous lesson in betrayal in world literature.
Julius Caesar loved Brutus like a son. He was the closest friend of the warrior leader.
Yet Brutus was the one that wielded the knife that ended Caesar ‘s life.
Every leader must be aware of a Brutus next to him and guard himself or herself properly.
Shakespeare indeed has documented several case studies and lessons in betrayal.
Macbeth together with his wife Lady Macbeth betrayed and ki*ll*ed King Duncan to become the King of Scotland.
In Hamlet, Claudius ki*ll*ed his brother the king of Denmark in order to ascend the throne.
King Leah was betrayed by his thankless daughters, Goneril and Regan.
Had Gowon read Julius Caesar or any of the Shakespeare’s classics on betrayal, perhaps his story would have been different.
Of course, this is not a fresh advertisement for Shakespeare’s works, it’s a reminder for those who currently occupy the position of power.
Remember:
Et tu Brutus?
Then fall Caesar.
Watch the Brutus next to you.
Written By Ajibola Amzat
Gowon came to power through a very bloody military coup that killed Aguiyi Ironsi. He is lucky that those who over threw him didn't kill him as well. So what is he bleating about?
ReplyDeleteAre you minding him? Someone is part of the problems were facing in Naija now 🙄
DeleteHow did Aguiyi Ironsi come to power? What did he do to right that wrong?
DeleteHe who know you do you
ReplyDeleteAll these retired senior citizens that look back@ their lives & start writing books up & down. What was the impact you made to this great nation?
ReplyDeleteTurned the country into pieces because of your godmother Queen Elizabeth...abeg let's hear word mbok.
If you read, you would know.
DeleteIt's your responsibility to carve a life worth reading about. They had done far more in their analogue understanding than you with the advantages of your age.
'Julius Caesar' and 'Macbeth' My favourite Shakespearean classic!
ReplyDeleteI no dey do Bestie again. Na them jealous pass.
ReplyDeleteThis man should rest abeg! Mtcheww
ReplyDeleteGrace draws it's share of envy. God no be man.
Delete