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General News of Thursday, 14 January 2021

Source: punchng.com

Buhari, Ohanaeze, Sanwo-Olu, others mourn ex-Lagos gov Kanu

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari

A former military administrator of Lagos and Imo states, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd.) is dead.

Kanu, who hailed from Imo State and was a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), died at a hospital in Lagos on Wednesday at the age of 77.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, mourned his death, saying his service to the nation would continue to inspire younger generations.

The statement reads partly, “The President condoles with all professional colleagues of the gallant military officer, who distinguished himself in all positions and responsibilities during service, taking up more daunting, but historically rewarding challenges like speaking up for the weak and vulnerable, and the struggle for the country’s return to democratic government.

“President Buhari believes late Rear Admiral Kanu’s credentials in serving the nation, as a career military officer and as an activist with NADECO in actualising the June 12, 1993 mandate, remains commendable and will continue to inspire younger generations on patriotism.”

Also, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on print media, Modestus Nwamkpa, said, “The death of Ndubuisi Kanu is a big loss. Imo and the entire country mourn him.”

Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the former military administrator contributed immensely to the development of the state during his tenure of office.

He said, “He wrote his name in gold as a tireless fighter and an advocate of democratic government. He played a leading role as chieftain of NADECO in the agitation for the actualisation of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election and return of civilian government on May 29, 1999.”

Likewise, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi said the late Kanuwould be remembered for his commitment.

The Speaker added that the late retired Rear Admiral “will be remembered by all those who knew him as a patriotic Nigerian who played a role in the making of Lagos State.”

In the same vein, the Pan-Yoruba social-political organisation, Afenifere, described late Kalu as a selfless person.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview said, “Ndubuisi Kanu was an ebullient and noble spirit who dedicated his life to worthy causes and never looked back when he is convinced of a righteous line.”

Similarly, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonna, said the organisation was devastated by the news of Kalu’s death.

The statement reads in part, “Admiral Kanu at various times expressed a profound passion for his people by playing several stabilising roles in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Throughout his career, Kanu remained untainted and exemplary. We are devastated because Ndigbo and Nigeria will miss his disarming intellect and wise counsel.”

The organisation also mourned the death of another son of the region, Senator Onyeabor Obi.

In addition, eminent leaders of thought, under the aegis of Project Nigeria Movement, led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), on Wednesday mourned the late Admiral.

The group in a statement by its National Secretary, Olawale Okunniyi, said, “The active guidance of Kanu for the struggle to create a new democratic and prosperous Nigeria will be greatly missed by all leaders of conscience in the Project Nigeria Movement, NADECO and in the broad civil society constituency of Nigeria.”

Similarly, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Are Gani Adams, has described the death of Kanu, as a great loss to the progressives.

Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said, “He was a great leader because he stood for democracy and true federalism, and in even death, his memories will  for a very long time remain indelible in the minds of great democrats.”

In the same vein, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described late Kanu, as a rare breed.

Tinubu, in a statement by his media office on Wednesday, said, “He was my brother and a very courageous partner in the struggle for democracy and enthronement of true federalism in Nigeria.

“He was a patriot and a progressive; a rare breed in his consistent and unwavering commitment to social justice, democracy, and workable federalism in Nigeria.

“Admiral Kanu was a Lagosian, true Nigerian nationalist in the very best sense of that phrase.”