December 01, (THEWILL) – Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has expressed deep pains over the death of an elder statesman and former Minister of Steel Development, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, who he described as a pathfinder and leader of an inestimable value.
Unongo died on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Jos, the Plateau State capital, aged 87.
Lamenting over the death of Unongo, Ortom stated that the foremost nationalist was a father figure, who championed the emancipation of ordinary citizens without ethnic or religious barriers.
He noted the leadership role of Pa Unongo in the political evolution of Nigeria, pointing out that he was a mentor to many present-day leaders, who had great ideas for the sociopolitical and economic development of the country.
“In Pa Unongo, our Iroko tree has fallen. He is one of the last icons of political leadership in Nigeria, whose contributions to the politics of the country from post-independence till date can not be quantified. Benue State has lost a leader and mentor. His death has created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
“We shall miss his intellect, great ideas, oratory prowess and immense capacity for mobilization and organisation of the people.”
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, the Governor expressed consolation that Pa Unongo’s legacies of patriotism, pan-Nigerian and philanthropy will endure.
He promised that Benue State would do the needful to immortalize Pa Unongo for his selfless services and contributions to the development of the state.
He prayed that God grants the deceased eternal rest and the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.
In his reaction, a Benue-based Journalist, Comrade Sunday Ogli, expressed sadness that Unongo passed on during a period of political transition in the country, adding that his counsel will be greatly missed in that regard.
According to him, even though he did not make it as Governor of Benue state in the past, Unongo remained resolute in advising upcoming politicians on the need for peaceful coexistence and was fighting to protect Benue’s interests at all times.
When our correspondent visited his Makurdi residence, some sympathizers were seen around but there was no family member to comment on his death.
One of the volunteers, who confided in our correspondent said that Unongo passed on at his residence in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on that fateful Tuesday evening.
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