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Former military President, General (rtd) Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (GCFR) has expressed condolences over the death of Chu Okongwu.
The death of Chu Okongwu was announced on Wednesday just as Babangida described him as a Nigerian, who was devoted and committed to nation building, using his expertise and rich knowledge to create templates for national development.
Babangida in a statement titled, Chu Okongwu: Death But Why? which was personally signed by him and made available to the media through his image maker, Prince Kassim Afegbua said when his path and that of Chu crossed, the intellect and humane disposition of the former minister to discourse, swayed his attention. He described him to be very incisive and analytical in his deliberations and also profound in his elocution as well as didactic in his delivery.
“No matter how old, when dear ones depart from us, we feel a deep sense of loss and pain. The nostalgic feelings invoke in us grief and some sort of emotional torture. Death, the ultimate end of man has its hurtful claws clutching at humanity, each time it strikes.
The death of Chu Okongwu, even at age 87, leaves me with a painful pang. Chu, was one Nigerian, who was devoted and committed to nation building, using his expertise and rich knowledge to create templates for national development. When our paths crossed, his intellect and humane disposition to discourse, swayed my attention. He was incisive and analytical in his deliberations. He was profound in his elocution and didactic in his delivery.” IBB said.
The statement continues,
“Nigeria has lost another brilliant and intellectually fecund professional, with an amazing understanding of the world around us. A super economist, Harvard trained, and also a lecturer with a deep knowledge of economics, Chu Okongwu was an exceptional brain that helped to shape the direction of our government. As a Minister of National Planning, he helped to create policy implementation strategies that facilitated our achievements in government. He later became Minister of Finance for four years and was able to lead us on the path of financial discipline and accountability.
Chu Okongwu was a very strict professional and public servant. He was meticulous, and had eyes for little details. He enjoyed intellectual engagement and had specific interest in interrogating figures. He was one of our reservoirs of knowledge on economic and financial issues.”
Babangida at his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger State added that despite being an octogenarian the late Chu was still very active stressing that his death was very painful to him.
“At 87, Chu, was still in his usual elements until the sad news of his death struck me early this morning. It is painful for me that death has snatched away one of the brightest economists we have in Nigeria. A very exposed leader of men, whose love for Nigeria knows no bounds, Chu will be sorely missed.”
The elderstatesman in the statement however prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of his close associate.
“May God in His infinite mercy grant him eternal rest. May He grant the family the grace and piety to bear this irreplaceable death. Chu was a great man, and he died like all great men do. Rest in peace, Sunday Chu Okongwu.” The statement concluded.
