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MAKURDI: Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has noted that the contributions of late Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo, to the sociopolitical development of Nigeria would forever remain indelible.
He further observed that Unongo, a former Minister of Steel Development, in the second republic was among those that laid the foundation for the industrial development of the nation.
In a condolence message to the Unongo Kwangise family over the death of the late octogenarian, signed by Terver Akase, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, on behalf of the former Governor, Ortom, said Pa Unongo was a revered figure in Nigeria’s history.
Ortom who described Unongo as his role model as well as the role model of many others, noted that Wantaregh Unongo’s contributions to the political development of Nigeria, spanned over five decades.
While he stated that the loss of Pa Unongo would be deeply felt by the entire nation, the former governor prayed God to grant him eternal rest and accord the Unongo Kwangise family the strength to bear the loss.
According to him, “Wantaregh’s contributions to the political and social development of Nigeria have left an indelible mark, and his loss is deeply felt by the entire nation.
“Wantaregh Unongo was among those who laid the foundation for industrial development of the country. He played a key role in the making of Nigeria’s Constitution at different historical moments.
“Until his death, Unongo was one of the surviving nationalists who saw this country in the cradle and nurtured it to full growth and development. As the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Wantaregh was a voice of reason advocating for the unity, peace and development of the country.
“As a respected intellectual, Unongo was among influential Nigerians of his era whose views on national issues were taken seriously.
“His selfless contributions to the political development of Nigeria spanned over five decades, a period that saw him aspire to govern Benue State.
“Wantaregh Unongo was a role model to me and several others. He was my mentor. When I was the Governor of Benue State, he offered me useful advice from time to time to enable me succeed. He was a colossus in several spheres of life and was a patriot who envisioned a united Nigeria where the interests and aspirations of all its people would be equally respected”, the former Governor stated.
