The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari has joined family and friends to mourn a former military administrator of Lagos and Imo states, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, who died at the age of 77.
President Buhari condoles with all professional colleagues of the gallant military officer, who distinguished himself in all positions and responsibilities during service.
He said; ‘‘the late Kanu took 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.”
Commendation
President Buhari believes the 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.”
The President prays for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman.
Other Condolence Messages
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed grief in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Lanre Lasisi.
He said ”the late Kanu would be remembered for his commitment to the development of Lagos State and the other states he governed.”
He condoled with the family and prayed God to grant the soul of Kanu eternal rest.
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said; ”As one of Nigeria’s advocates of good governance, restructuring and true federalism, the late Kanu will be sorely missed by the people.”
“The death of Rear Admiral Kanu is a colossal loss to the country. He made lots of positive impact and contributions during his lifetime to the growth and development of Lagos State and Nigeria. He fought tirelessly, along with several other patriots, for a united Nigeria during his days in the Nigerian Navy as well as a member of pro-democracy group after he retired from service,” the Governor added.
Also, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma described the late Kanu as one of Nigeria’s finest and brightest who devoted his energy for the good of the country.
He said ”the late governor got to the pinnacle of his profession by dint of hard work and remained committed to the discipline in the Armed Forces till his death.”
Residents of Ugwunta in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, where he hailed from, also mourned the respected pro-democracy and Igbo leader.
Many others, including Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Olawale Oshun, also mourned the former National Democratic Coalition, NADECO chieftain.
In a statement in Lagos, Oshun said: “I learnt with the deepest regret of the passing of Rear Admiral Kanu, a former military governor in Imo, and later Lagos states.
“His greatest legacy, however, is in the area of pro-democracy struggle. A brave officer, and a convinced democrat, he was one of the founding leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and for a long time NADECO held many of its meetings in his home on Victoria Island and not the direct threat by the Sani Abacha goons would make him distance himself from his coalition colleagues.
“Admiral Kanu had stood up to be counted, even with the return to civil rule in 1999, amongst the civil and pro-democracy activists who deem that the civil rule in process in Nigeria fell far short of the democracy they struggled for. He also has used his great goodwill amongst the Yoruba people to the benefit of his Igbo people resident and making home in Lagos and many other parts of Yoruba land.
“I had, as NADECO Secretary in the intervening period Ayo Opadokun was in Abacha detention, found Admiral Kanu to be one great Nigerian ready to lay down his life to make Nigeria a great country, one in which all the nationalities are equitably treated and there is justice for all.
“May his great soul rest in perfect peace.”
Elder statesman and a NADECO chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, described the late Kanu as a dedicated loyalist to the cause of restructured Nigeria.
Adebanjo, who is also a leader of Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, added: “This is a great loss. He will be greatly missed. He was a gallant soldier, great patriot, nationalist, progressive politician and a dedicated loyalist to the cause of restructured Nigeria.
The nonagenarian, a staunch supporter of the late nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said the late Kanu would be remembered for being a great nationalist who believed in the restructuring of the country as the only panacea to Nigeria’s progress.
NP/Confidence Okwuchi
