Unongo was a true patriot, says Ortom

By TYAV SAM TYAV, Makurdi –

The former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has described the former Minister of Steel Development, late elder statesman Wantaregh Unongo as a true patriot.

In his condolence message to the Unongo Kwangise family over the death of Wantategh Unongo, signed by his Media Aide, Terver Akase,  Ortom said Unongo was a revered figure in Nigeria’s history as his contributions to the political and social development of Nigeria have left an indelible mark, and his loss is deeply felt by the entire nation.

According to the message, Ortom noted that  “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.

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. “

Ortom, who also described Unongo as a respected intellectual, informed that he was among influential Nigerians of his era whose views on national issues were taken seriously adding that his selfless contributions to the political development of Nigeria spanned over five decades, a period that saw him aspire to govern Benue State.

He revealed that Unongo groomed him for leadership and later contributed significantly to the success of his administration.

Ortom stated that “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”.

He prayed that God  should grant the deceased leader eternal rest and accord the entire Unongo Kwangise family the strength to bear the loss.