The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday observed a minute of silence in honour of Second Republic Minister of Power and Steel, Dr Paul Unongo.
Daily Trust had reported how the former minister died after a protracted illness.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, announced the passage of Unongo, who was also Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), and called for a minute silence in his honour at before the start of the federal cabinet meeting being presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President, who had earlier mourned the demise of Dr. Unongo, said the country had lost an elder statesman.
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President Buhari, in a tribute released on Tuesday night by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, acknowledged the close relationship he had with the deceased.
He said “in all the positions he held as a politician and public officer, he displayed a high level of decorum. He was a colossus in public life, very articulate and witty. He served his community and the nation extremely well.
“My deepest condolences to the bereaved family, and the government and people of Benue State.”
The late Unongo who was a minister during the Second Republic had held several political positions and was involved in constitutional conferences.”
Until his death, he was Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
Meanwhile, the FEC, which is currently going on, has Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), in attendance.
Some of the ministers physically attending the meeting include Muazu Sambo (Transportation); Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture); Senator George Akume (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs); Abubakar Malami (Attorney-General and Minister of Justice); Adamu Adamu (Education); Abubakar Aliyu (Power); and Timipre Sylva (Minister of State, Petroleum Resources).
Others include Otunba Niyi Adebayo (Industry, Trade and Investment); and Umana Okon Umana (Niger Delta Affairs).
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