From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) has expressed deep pain over the sudden death of his close friend Dr. Paul Unongo.
Unongo, a former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, died on Tuesday at the age of 87.
In a statement, yesterday, he said the exit of Dr. Unongo is the exit of a generation; persons and factors who helped to shape the destiny of the Nigerian federation in a most patriotic and pan-Nigeria way. Unongo was a heavily detribalised Nigerian, a family man, whose love for his community was exceptionally great and profound. Unongo fought just causes for the ordinary Nigerian until he breathed his last…May God Almighty grant him eternal rest. May God also grant the family the fortitude to bear this great loss. The death of Unongo is the death of a community. Rest on my dear friend Watanregh.”
Also, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has described the late elder statesman and former Leader of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a foremost Nigerian patriot, astute administrator and bridge builder.
Ohanaeze which expressed sadness over the passage of Unongo, further described him as courageous and sagacious politician, moral edifice and an elder-statesman.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said: “Unongo was an embodiment of restructuring Nigeria for effective and efficient service delivery. On the other hand, while Unongo remained culturally and emotionally attached to his native Tiv ethnic, he never lost his Northern orientation and the need for sustainable relationship with the other parts of the country based on equity, justice and fairness.”
The statement quoted that President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, George Obiozor as recalling with nostalgia, his relationship with Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Paul Unongo, Chief Aper Aku, Sen. J S Tarka, Chief Solomon Lar, among others during the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari, hence his lamentation that a foremost Nigerian patriot was gone.