By Chris Agabi
The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has described the late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo as a revered figure in Nigeria’s history.
In his condolence message to the Unongo Kwangise family over the death of the former Minister of Steel Development, Chief Ortom said 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” a statement by Hon.Terver Akase quotes Ortom to have said.
He said 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.
Chief Ortom said Wantaregh Unongo groomed him for leadership and later contributed significantly to the success of his administration.
“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.
He prayed that God grants the deceased leader eternal rest and accord the entire Unongo Kwangise family the strength to bear the loss.
