Second Republic Minister Paul Unongo Dies

A former Minister of Power and Steel in the Second Republic, Paul Unongo, is dead.

It was gathered Paul Unongo hailed from Jato Aka in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, died Tuesday morning in Jos, the Plateau State capital at the age of 87.

A strong politician, he aspired to govern Benue State in 1983 but lost to Aper Aku of blessed memory.

In 2017, Unongo succeeded Maitama Sule as the chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum.

A close family source, who confirmed his death to reporters on the phone in Makurdi on Tuesday, simply said that his death would be announced in due course.

“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,” he said.

Another source in the state, who did not want to be mentioned, confirmed his death.

“This morning, I called and was told that they were bathing him but about 20 minutes after they told me he passed on,” said one of Tiv prominent sons.

Until his death, Unongo was the chairman of the Governing Council of Nigerian Educational Research Development Council.

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