What The North Must Do To Honour Late Paul Unongo
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Paul Unongo, former minister of Steel Development in the second republic, was a man well respected across strata in the Nigerian system.
Specifically, Paul Unongo who was the chairman governing council of the Nigerian Educational Research Development Council, NERDC, before he died at 87, was held in high esteem in the circle of critical stakeholders in the northern part of Nigeria and indeed Nigeria and overseas as a result of his commitment to humanity, democratic best practice and the rule of law.
Among other key positions he held was overseeing the affairs of northern Nigeria in the capacity of chairman, Northern Elders Forum, NEF.
It was partly on this and other nationalistic roles he played to ensure a better Nigeria that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, observed a minute of silence in honour of Second Republic Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Paul Unongo, shortly before the commencement of the routine Wednesday’s FEC meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, a former presidential aspirant in the 2019 elections, Udoka Charles Udeogaranya, urged Northern Elders Forum and the entire Northern Nigeria to respect the wishes of the departed elder statesman by backing the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in succeeding the President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Udoka Udeogaranya pointed out during his life time, Paul Unongo was concerned about Nigerian President of eastern extraction and therefore urged the northerners to support Labour Party candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
He argued that by supporting the former Anambra State governor, Northerners would ensure the wish of the late former Minister of Steel Development.
Udeogaranya’s statement reads, “The Northern Elders Forum and entire Northern Nigeria should honour and heed the wise counsel and wish of the recently departed soul of Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR.
“No Nigerian who is sincere to himself or herself can be in denial that the Igbos who Nigeria has denied presidency for over fifty years, should not produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023; a singular action that will unite Nigeria and build inclusiveness for Nigeria to move forward.
“Nigerians in general and particularly the good people of Northern Nigeria must put all hands on deck and ensure that Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party and as well, the best candidate on all numerous fronts, emerge victorious on the 2023 presidential election for the common good of all the people of Nigeria.”
While commiserating with the family of Unongo and the entire people of Northern Nigeria, Udeogaranya prayed to God to grant the soul of the departed eternal life and reunite Northern and Southern Nigerians as brothers in one accord.
Born on September 26, 1935 in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state, Wantaregh Unongo a humanist was the pioneer Secretary General of the defunct Nigerian People’s Party, NPP, and an ally of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He was also a member of the constitution review committee under Sani Abacha, former military head of state.
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