Ndubuisi Kanu: Lagos sets up 4-man burial committee as Otti extols late naval chief

 

The Lagos State Government has set up a four-member committee to ensure a befitting burial for former military governor of the state, retired Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said this on Friday, during a condolence visit to the family of Late Kanu, at the deceased’s residence in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Kanu, an elder statesman and leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), died on Wednesday, at the age of 78.

Sanwo-Olu said the state government would participate fully in all the programmes leading to the final burial of the former military governor.

He described the late elder statesman as a detribalised Nigerian.

“He (Ndubusi Kanu) was a man that I personally had come to respect. He was a man that had supported our government from day one.

“He was a man that I personally respect, not because he is no more with us but he had been to my office on two occasions and had attended all of our events as a pillar of support.

“He was completely detribalised. He was a builder and a brother from across the Niger. He was a true Nigerian that we all need to celebrate.

“So, that is why we are here humbly for and on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State to reassure you that the state is solidly beside you in this time of grief.

“We and other stakeholders are right beside you because he was not just a man for one part, he was a national figure.

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“We will work with other stakeholders to ensure that we immortalise and give him a befitting passage of exit out of this world,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor was accompanied on the visit by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG) Mrs Folasade Jaji; Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde; and some members of the State Executive Council.

Meanwhile, renowned economist and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has expressed sadness over the news of the death of the illustrious son of Abia state and also former military governor of old Imo State.

Otti said the news came to him as a shock because the late statesman spoke with him a few days before the end of 2020 and regretted that death took him when the nation needed to tap more from his wealth of experience as a nationalist and an accomplished senior Nigerian military officer.

He described him as a thorough bred soldier and consistent fighter for equity, justice and fairness, who dedicated his last days to working for the restructuring of the country.

While sending his condolences to his wife, Chief Mrs Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu and other members of the family, the people of Abia state and Nigeria, the former bank chief executive prayed for the repose of Admiral Kanu’s soul, while calling on the living to emulate those virtues that endeared him to millions of Nigerians.