Shettima, Saraki lead tributes for late second republic minister, Unongo

Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima on Tuesday paid tribute in Makurdi to Wantategh Paul Unongo, the former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic.

The remains of Unongo, who passed away on 29 November 2022 at the age of 87, will be laid to rest this weekend in his hometown, Unongo Village, in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

His body was transported from Jos, the Plateau State capital, to Makurdi on Tuesday for a wake held at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Square, Makurdi.

Speaking earlier at the Government House in Makurdi, the Vice President praised the late politician, describing him as a selfless leader committed to unity, justice, and truth.

According to Shettima, Unongo’s life was a testament to leadership anchored in service, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering integrity.

He said, “Pa Unongo lived not for himself but for the betterment of others. He exemplified leadership rooted in service, and his legacy is one of unflinching integrity.

Departing at the venerable age of 87, Pa Unongo was among the fortunate few who witnessed the fruits of his labour in his lifetime. Many live long only to contradict the ideals of their younger years, but he was an exception.

“He remained a model of dignity, humility, and purpose. A father figure to generations of scholars, public servants, politicians, and community leaders, Pa Unongo demonstrated that leadership can transcend time—that service to one’s people can endure even after retirement from the public stage.

“Eighty-seven years were enough for this exceptional man to write a manual on managing excellence. From his beginnings as a brilliant psychologist revolutionising academia in Nigeria to his dedication to national service, Pa
Unongo’s life testifies to the heights that vision, discipline, and determination can achieve.

“He was not just a scholar or a politician; he was a statesman in the truest sense—a man who put the needs of his people and his nation above all else.”

The Vice President further noted, “As others aged into quiet retirement, Pa Unongo chose a more arduous path. He became a unifier, a voice for the collective, and a champion of regional harmony. As Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), succeeding the revered Alhaji Maitama Sule, he shouldered a weight few could carry.

“In a region often defined by its complexity and diversity, he offered wisdom, tact, and a vision of unity that transcended ethnic and religious divides. It was no small feat to speak for such a multifaceted region, yet he did so with grace and integrity.”

Other dignitaries who paid tribute included former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum Professor Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Audu Ogbeh. In their separate speeches, they all described the late Unongo as a visionary leader who aspired for a Nigeria with exemplary leadership.

The head of the Unongo family, Mr Joseph Unongo, while presenting the body of the late Tiv spiritual leader, said that before his death, the late politician had requested that his burial be conducted by Governor Alia.