Some prominent Nigerians and groups have mourned a former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Paul Unongo.
Unongo died on Tuesday at 87.
The Northern Governors Forum, led by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, in a tribute, said the former Minister of Steel Development was an achiever who served Nigeria with passion and patriotism.
Similarly, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, described the late Unongo as an illustrious political leader who would be remembered for good governance and political development.
Lawan, in a statement signed by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said, “Unongo was a principled and irrepressible politician who had clear positions on national issues and was outspoken on what he believed in through his political life. The former minister of steel development will be remembered for his contributions to good governance and the political development of Nigeria.”
On its part, a pan-Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, described it as a big loss for the entire people of Benue, the North and the country.
According to the ACF’s Secretary General, Malam Murtala Aliyu, the late Unongo was “a patriotic Nigerian with passionate Northerners, was a person who dedicated his entire life to serving his people and humanity.”
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, also mourned the deceased, saying, “We have lost a pathfinder and leader of inestimable value.”
Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, said the foremost nationalist was a father figure who championed the emancipation of ordinary citizens without regard to ethnic or religious barriers.
He expressed consolation that Unongo’s legacies of patriotism, pan-Nigerianism, and philanthropy would endure, adding that the state would immortalise him “for his selfless services and contributions to the development of the state.”
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