The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) on Tuesday described late Wantaregh Paul Unongo as one of the few selfless Nigerians who lived for the good of others.
NSGF Chairman, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, stated this during the valedictory session held in honour of the late Tiv Spiritual Leader at Government House in Makurdi.
Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State, said that Unongo, who was one of the privileged early Nigerians, despite his influence, connections always lived for the common man.
“It is a day to celebrate because Unongo came, saw, and conquered.”
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, who received the corpse on behalf of the State Elders Forum, commended Unongu’s family for honouring his death wish, which was for people to celebrate his death instead of mourning.
Alia further commended President Bola Tinubu for honouring the state by sending his Vice President Shettima to attend Unongo’s valedictory session.
“It is with a very deep sense of humility that I receive the remains of Wantaregh Paul Unongo today to handover to the elders of the state for burial at Unongo Village.
“I also want to thank the family of Unongo for honouring the death wish of the elder statesman, which was for people to celebrate his death instead of mourning.”
In his remarks, former president of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, said the entire wealth of Unongo was his intellect and not material things.
Saraki said Unongo before his death fought for justice and even stood firmly by him during his trying times as senate president.
He said that the late Chairman and Convener of Northern Elders Forum wanted nothing more than a better Nigeria.
Mr Joseph Unongo, who spoke on behalf of the family, said that the late Unongu’s wish was for him to be buried by Alia.
NAN reports that the late Unongo, a former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, died on November 29, 2022, at the age of 87, in Jos, Plateau.
Born on September 26, 1935, Unongo belonged to the Kwaghngise-Anure-Abera ancestry in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue.
Unongu, in his political career, aspired to govern Benue in 1983 but lost to Aper Aku of blessed memory.
In 2017, Unongo succeeded Maitama Sule as the chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum.
Until his death, Unongo was the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council. (NAN)
