Benue State House of Assembly has called on the state government to immortalized the late Wantaregh Paul Unongo for his contribution to the progress and development of Benue State and Nigeria in particular.
The House made the call during Monday’s Plenary held at the hearing hall, Benue State House of Assembly, Makurdi following a motion by members representing Kwande West and Kwande East State Constituencies, Hon. Thomas Dugeri and Hon. Samuel Matu, calling for one minute silence to be observed in honour of the late Wantaregh Paul Unongo.
The House also urged Benue State Government to invite all political stakeholders to attend the burial of the deceased scheduled for November 30th, 2024 at Unongo Village, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of the State.
Members observed one minute silence in honour of the deceased whom they described as a Philanthropist and Political juggernaut who worked hard for the development of Tivland, Benue State and Nigeria as a country.
Seconding the motion, Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer stated that, late Unongo was a very important personality not only in Tiv land and Benue State but the entire country.
“Wantaregh Unongo touched many lives through provision of food, education, health and several other areas of human endeavours” Hon. Tiseer said.
He said one area the Benue State Government can come in, is to revamp Juladaco High School, Kasa, Plateau State and Juladaco Hospital, Katsina Ala among other important establishments of the deceased.
Earlier, the movers of the motion, Hon. Dugeri and Matu noted that, the late Wantaregh. Paul Unongo, who passed on at the age of 87 was a towering figure in Nigerian politics and a champion of the Tiv nation.
They further noted that during his lifetime, he was the first Tiv man to teach in the university, championed the creation of more local governments in Benue state, and the first Minister of Steel Development in the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari.
“He also replaced Late Mallam Maitama Sule as the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum. Late Wantaregh Paul Unongo dedicated his life to public service and played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of Nigeria”
They informed the House that, during his lifetime, he established hospitals, schools and transportation businesses for enhancement of socio-economic activities for Benue State and Nigeria at large.
“Some of the products of his school, JOLADACO High School, Kasa, Plateau State are former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha and distinguished Hon. Mrs. Becky Orpin who is the current member representing Gboko East constituency in the Tenth Assembly of Benue State House of Assembly”.
The duo further informed that Wantaregh Unongo was conspicuous in philanthropy by feeding the poor and vulnerable, hence the name WANTAREGH, which was the name given to him by the masses meaning “Son of the Land”,
They said, though he is gone, he will be celebrated for years to come as his memory will forever be etched in the hearts of people for his acts of philanthropy which resonated with the masses and his various contributions to the growth of the Tiv nation in particular and Nigeria at large.
