The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has described the late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul 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.
He pointed that Wantaregh Unongo was among those who laid the foundation for industrial development of the country, noting that he played a key role in the making of Nigeria’s Constitution at different historical moments.
Chief Ortom 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, stressing that as the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Wantaregh was a voice of reason advocating the unity, peace and development of the country.
He acknowledged that as respected intellectual, Unongo was among influential Nigerians of his era whose views on national issues were taken seriously, noting that his selfless contributions to the political development of Nigeria spanned over five decades, a period that saw him aspire to govern Benue State.
According to the former Governor, Wantaregh Unongo groomed him for leadership and later contributed significantly to the success of his administration.
Chief Ortom further acknowledged that Wantaregh Unongo was a role model to him and several others, stating that when he was the Governor of Benue State, the deceased offered him useful advice from time to time to enable him succeed.
He described him as a colossus in several spheres of life and a patriot who envisioned a united Nigeria where the interests and aspirations of all its people would be equally respected.
In a statement by his Media Aide, Terver Akase, the former Governor prayed that God grants the deceased leader eternal rest and accord the entire Unongo Kwangise family the strength to bear the loss.
