Buhari, Others Mourn As Ex Minister, Paul Unongo Dies At 87

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By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON

Barely two months after marking his 87th birthday, elder statesman and a former Minister of Power and Steel, Wantaregh  Paul Iorpuu Unongo, is dead.

Unongo, who  was a 

one-time Chairman of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), died at the age of 87 in Jos, Plateau State.
A close family source confirmed his death to reporters on phone in Makurdi, Benue State, on Tuesday.

The family source  said that his death will be officially announced in due course.

He said: “Yes Wantaregh Paul Unongo died today Tuesday but I cannot say more than that because I am not authorised to do so. But our family will issue a formal statement on the development.”

Unongo was born on September 26, 1935, he  belonged to the Kwaghngise-Anure-Abera ancestry, in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari who was one of the prominent people to  salute him on his birthday in September, has expressed sadness over his demise.

President Buhari in a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday night, acknowledged the close relationship he had with the deceased, 

“In all the positions he held as a politician and public officer, he displayed a high level of decorum. 

“He was a colossus in public life, very articulate and witty. He served his community and the nation extremely well,” he said.

He therefore, extended condolences to his immediate family and the government and people of Benue Stare.

“My deepest condolences to the bereaved family, and the government and people of Benue State.” he added.

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