Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the passing of a former military governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu (Rtd).
Similarly, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also expressed expressed sadness over the death of the chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
Gbajabiamila, said Kanu who passed on at the age of 77 would be remembered for his commitment to the development of Lagos State and the other states he governed.
In his condolence message to the late Kanu’s family, Gbajabiamila prayed God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
He added that the deceased was a patriotic Nigerian who played a role in the making of Lagos state.
On his part, Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described the late Kanu as a complete gentleman and officer, saying the former military administrator contributed immensely to the development of Lagos State during his short tenure of office.
The Governor praised the late Rear Admiral Kanu’s contribution to the country’s democracy, especially his fight, alongside the progressive elements in the country during the dark days of the military junta for the enthronement of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu said the nation would miss the rich experience and knowledge of the late Naval Officer and democrat.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of late Ndubuisi Kanu as well as the Nigerian Navy, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the country in general.
“As one of Nigeria’s advocates of good governance, restructuring and true federalism, the late Ndubusi 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 contribution during his lifetime to the growth and development of Lagos State and Nigeria. He fought, along with several other patriots tirelessly for a united Nigeria during his days in the Nigerian Navy as well as a member of a pro-democracy group after he retired from service.
“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 in May 29, 1999.We must ensure that the people enjoy the dividend of democracy, which the late Ndubuisi Kanu and other heroes and heroines of democracy in Nigeria fought for. Development must touch the lives of the people directly. This is the best way to immortalise the late Ndubuisi Kanu because this is virtue he lived for,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
We have lost a vibrant progressive -Afenifere
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, described the death of the former ilitary governor as a huge loss to Nigeria.
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said: “It was a very painful death.
“We have lost a very ebullient, vibrant and progressive someone.
“There is nothing we can do than to accept the will of God.
“He has lived a fulfilled life and dedicated his life to good causes for which we shall always remember him. May his soul rest in peace and may God protect all that he left behind.”
Ndubuisi Kanu is a fighter for greater Nigeria -Chief Guy Ike Ikokwu
Chief Guy Ike Ikokwu (Omenife), Solicitor and Grand Patron Ohanaeze, Lagos State described the deceased as a fighter for greater Nigeria .
His words: “Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu was a fighter for the core values of a greater Nigeria and devoted his time to bridge the gap between all our Ethnic nationalities no matter where they came from. Because of his devotion to our common bondages he was one of the few Nigerians who governed two states Imo and Lagos. He fought for the return of Democracy and Civil Rights of Citizens as a Nadeco Leader even when some had chickened out. He was a Frontline Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and supported the stand of the SSMBLF resoluteness for a Restructured template for Governance system and devololution of powers.
“The Lagos State Government honoured him with the Ndubuisi Kanu Park at Ikeja. His family structure is evidently intertribal. We had consultations with him on ways to difuse the alarming rate of insecurities and economic degradation with our new rating of the economic capital of the poor !! When I was unable to speak with him as he was out of Lagos in the last two weeks, I was bewildered and proceeded to Imo State for our Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Confab to fathom a new template for a resolution of our existential precepts in our Clime. On our return to Lagos State we just found the Calamitous Realities of our New World Order Unraveling Exponentially with his demise and movement to the Galactic World Zones Beyond !!! We all wish him bon voyage to the Infinitesimal zones beyond. May his Gentle Soul ”
Key things to know about Ndubuisi Kanu
Rear Admiral Kanu was an accomplished military officer having had a successful tenure in the Nigerian Naval Command.
A graduate of National Defence Academy, India, he served in various leadership positions both in core naval postings and in special assignments.
He was a Member of the Supreme Military Council (1975 – 1976), first Military Governor of Imo State (1976 – 1977), Military Governor of Lagos State (1977 – 1978), Member of the Supreme Military Council (1978 –1979), Member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, AFRC (1986 – 1989), Member of Special Committee on Review of the Report of the Political Bureau (1988) and Chairman of Special AFRC Committee on Creation of Local Governments. He retired honourably in October 1990 and is presently a Maritime Consultant.
