Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, described the death of late elders tatesman and patriot, Chief Paul Unongo, as a great blow on the collective yearnings and aspirations of the Northern Elders Forum.
Obasanjo commiserated with the family, people and government of Benue State in a condolence letter to the governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom.
In his condolence message, copy made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President, remarked that the late former minister served his State (Benue), his community and nation with distinction in many spheres during his lifetime.
According to Obasanjo: “There is no doubt that the nation will miss this political giant whose intellect, integrity, hard work and vision improved not only his immediate community in Benue State but also Nigeria as a whole. His meritorious contributions as a Federal Minister in the Second Republic and later as a member of the Constitutional Review Committee earned him the respect and admiration of many of his compatriots. Chief Unongo was indeed was an outstanding individual and this was evident in all the responsibilities and posts he was assigned both at the State and national levels. His life was one of dedicated service, doing so with courage, loyalty and distinction. I am sure that many who knew him will forever remember him as a good man, a great politician and an inspiring leader.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Unongo’s death has also dealt a great blow on the collective yearnings and aspirations of the Northern Elders Forum which was at some point under his chairmanship; indeed, the Forum has lost a dynamic, visionary leader whose position will be hard to fill.
“Although we are deeply saddened to hear of his transition, we are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a full, productive and useful life of service and devotion to his community, his State and the nation as well as to humanity. We commiserate with you, his family and the entire good people of Benue State and pray that God, in His mercy, will comfort you all,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.
The letter to the governor reads.
November 30, 2022
His Excellency,
Dr. Samuel Ortom,
Governor of Benue State,
Government House,
Makurdi.
Your Excellency,
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE
I write, on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, to express our deep sense of grief and loss at the passing of our beloved and prominent patriot, Chief Paul Unongo, a great son of Nigeria who served his State (Benue), his community and nation with distinction in many spheres during his lifetime.
There is no doubt that the nation will miss this political giant whose intellect, integrity, hard work and vision improved not only his immediate community in Benue State but also Nigeria as a whole. His meritorious contributions as a Federal Minister in the Second Republic and later as a member of the Constitutional Review Committee earned him the respect and admiration of many of his compatriots. Chief Unongo was indeed was an outstanding individual and this was evident in all the responsibilities and posts he was assigned both at the State and national levels. His life was one of dedicated service, doing so with courage, loyalty and distinction. I am sure that many who knew him will forever remember him as a good man, a great politician and an inspiring leader.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Unongo’s death has also dealt a great blow on the collective yearnings and aspirations of the Northern Elders Forum which was at some point under his chairmanship; indeed, the Forum has lost a dynamic, visionary leader whose position will be hard to fill.
Although we are deeply saddened to hear of his transition, we are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a full, productive and useful life of service and devotion to his community, his State and the nation as well as to humanity. We commiserate with you, his family and the entire good people of Benue State and pray that God, in His mercy, will comfort you all.
May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace.
Yours sorrowfully,
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO
