By Ben Atonko, Abuja  

All is now set for burial of the late Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo. His body will be committed to earth tomorrow in his hometown, Unongo village, near Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State amidst pomp of flaming colours.

Since Tuesday when the body arrived Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in the countdown to the final internment, there has been show of splendour, elegance and surfeit of encomia and tributes in grandiloquence.

The former Minister of Power and Steel Development in the Second Republic died on Nov. 29, 2022 at 87 due to illness.

On arrival, the body was received by the Benue State governor, Hycinth Alia in Government House, Makurdi for a valedictory session.

Speaking at the occasion, Vice President Kashim Shettima described Unongo as an academic trailblazer, an intellectual giant and a politician who sacrificed personal comfort for the safety and progress of his people.

He said Unongo was not just a scholar or a politician but a statesman who put the needs of his people and his nation above all.

The VP noted that Unongo exemplified leadership rooted in service, and his legacy is one of unflinching integrity.

He said, “We gather here not just to mourn the passing of a great man but to celebrate the monumental life of Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo. He came, he saw, and he left indelible marks on our nation’s history.

“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.

“He remained a model of dignity, humility, and purpose, as well as 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.

“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,” he stressed.

He added, “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.

“Dr Unongo taught us the delicate art of managing diversity without being misunderstood. He was honest beyond measure, a quality attested to by the countless eulogies from former students, colleagues, and those privileged to call him a mentor.

“In fields where principles are often sacrificed for expedience, he stood tall, holding fast to his convictions until his final days. This rare adherence to principle is his greatest gift to Nigeria-a nation in dire need of role models who inspire by their actions rather than their rhetoric.

“Principle, as Pa Unongo demonstrated, is the rarest currency in leadership. It is a currency that builds trust, fosters unity, and leaves a legacy that no wealth can purchase.

“For this, we owe him a profound debt of gratitude. His life was a guidebook for how to lead with honour, serve with humility, and inspire with purpose.

 “He has shown us why, despite our challenges, Nigeria remains one nation under God, held together by the selfless efforts of patriots like him.”

The Benue State governor who was tagged the Chief Mourner commended deceased’s family for fulfilling the death wish of their patriarch.

He thanked the Vice President for coming to pay respect to the statesman.

The Chairman, Northern States Governor’s Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya said it was a day to celebrate, stressing that Unongo came, saw and conquered.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki said Unongo’s wealth was in his heart as he was not known for materialism and lived for the people.

“He was with me during my troubled times and insisted that justice was served. He wanted nothing more than a better Nigeria,” Saraki stated.

Chairman, Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof Abdullahi Ango, said Unongo was his classmate in secondary school in 1953.

According to him, Unongo was an activist and had the same political thinking like the late JS Tarka.

In his words, “He was desirous of a country with good leadership and worked very hard to help Nigeria but never forgot his routes.

“He lived and died for the cause of justice. We have lost a leader. Nigeria has lost a son.”

Chief Audu Ogeh who spoke on behalf of Benue Elders Forum (BEF), described Unongo as a very excited person to know with broad mind and vision.

According to him, Unongo had friends across the country and beyond and was an inspiration to many young people.

“Unongo was a political philosopher, not a tribalist. His influence would continue to affect all of us. He was a strong advocate of economic development because politics alone would not carry us thus far,” Ogbe stated.

Similarly, The former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom described the former Minister of Steel Development as a true patriot.

In his condolence message 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.

Ortom said, “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.”

It is said that Unongo had wished to be buried by Governor Alia, stressing that his death be a celebration for the people.

The on body driven in an open well-decorated hearse major streets of Makurdi and Gboko presents spectacle never seen in the history of the land. It was indeed a carnival that its memory will linger for long in the minds of the Benue folks.