Former Head of Military Government in Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, (Rtd) on Wednesday provided further insight into his leadership of the country.
Gowon, who appeared on Arise Television, also disclosed that the Biafra civil war was not meant to be against the Igbos.
The military ruler said he left a clear code that it was a battle against armed Biafra forces and not against women and women.
According to him, he engaged in the war as the last alternative to keep the country together.
Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, at the age of 31, said his good upbringing played a role in his position.
"It was 31 going to 32, and I had a good upbringing from home, school, and military training. I was brought up in a very strict religious environment, so I feel back because I was not prepared to rule Nigeria.
"But I was loyal to my country. I was not trained to rule, but my upbringing helped me to learn how to deal with situations the best way you can.
"But of course, you can't do it alone. You have other people around you," he stated.
On the civil war, he had this to say: "I was not aware of a counter coup in 1966, I was unaware until that very night when I was woken up to say something had happened in Abeokuta.
"The war was something we didn't expect, there were reactions against the unitary system of government.
"I had a responsibility to keep Nigeria united and I warned that if the situation gets to this stage where I have to choose to align with the break up or the other side, I know where my responsibility is - my loyalty is to the country.
"From the beginning I never wanted the war against the Igbos as such but it was to stop the breaking up of Nigeria.
"So what I did was to give a code of conduct on how the operations were to go, you are not fighting the people, make sure you protect the people, protect the women and their children - only take up arms against those who take arms against you and any distraction against the population that is not correct will be dealt with.
"We tried to send leaflets against the people that the war is not against them."