By Prosper Mene
Former Nigerian Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has shared intimate details of how his wife, Victoria Gowon, was prepared for the role of First Lady, including personal tutoring from the late Mrs. Efuntiloye (Oye) Mabel Williams, wife of accounting pioneer Chief Akintola Williams.
In excerpts from his newly launched 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, released at an event in Abuja, Gowon recounts the behind-the-scenes efforts to equip the then-young Victoria Zakari for her high-profile position during a turbulent period in Nigeria’s history.
Preparation for First Lady Role
Gowon explains that once his aides sensed his serious interest in Victoria, they proactively arranged for her enrollment in a finishing school in London to learn etiquette, protocol, and related skills — without initially consulting her father, Hamza Ahmadu, who served as Gowon’s Principal Secretary.
This move sparked a “volcanic” confrontation. Hamza reportedly thundered at the perceived disrespect: “How dare he do this without seeking my blessing and permission?” The situation was resolved only after Hamza’s wife intervened, persuading him that cancelling the already-advanced arrangements would be unwise.
Upon Victoria’s return from London, Mrs. Oye Williams stepped in to provide further hands-on guidance. Gowon describes Mrs. Williams as a “lively and highly respected lady” who offered practical tips drawn from her experience on etiquette, British customs and traditions, home management, and international protocol. Her goal was to ensure the First Lady would “appear most presentable, do Nigeria and womanhood proud, and avoid potentially embarrassing missteps.
Victoria, according to Gowon, absorbed the lessons gratefully but confidently asserted her own style when it came to her wardrobe. She told Mrs. Williams: “Aunty, I have already done a selection of what I need to wear, and I hope and am sure I will not embarrass you or Nigeria.”
Gowon praises his wife’s demeanour throughout the process as “unobtrusive and purposeful.” He notes that she worked quietly to make a smooth transition from bachelorette to First Lady and never sought to run a “parallel office” to his own.
Courtship and Controversial Wedding
The revelations appear in Chapter 17, titled “War’s Raging; Gowon’s Marrying.” Gowon first met Victoria in 1964 when she visited his Ikoyi residence with friends while training as a nurse at University College Hospital, Ibadan. Their relationship developed cautiously, with Victoria insisting on clarity and even requesting a written commitment from him.
The couple married on April 19, 1969, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, in a ceremony officiated by Bishop Seth Irunsewe Kale. Hamza eventually walked his daughter down the aisle despite earlier tensions.
The wedding drew significant controversy and media attention amid the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), with headlines proclaiming variations of “The war is raging; Gowon is marrying.” Many felt the timing was inappropriate, but Gowon noted he had delayed marriage thoughts to focus on national challenges. He credits Victoria’s supportive and non-frivolous nature for helping him navigate the public scrutiny.
Broader Context in the Autobiography
The book, spanning 36 chapters, covers Gowon’s life from his roots in Plateau State through his military career, the Civil War, his 1975 ouster, years in exile in the UK, and return to Nigeria. It also touches on family reflections, including Victoria’s regret over their children’s upbringing during exile.
This personal account from one of Nigeria’s longest-serving military leaders offers a glimpse into the private preparations and family dynamics behind public leadership during a defining era in the country’s history. Chief Akintola Williams, who passed away in 2023, remains celebrated as Nigeria’s first chartered accountant and a foundational figure in the nation’s accounting profession.
