By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Pan-Igbo Movement Intiative (PiMi) has announced that it is ready for the final journey of Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu 77, who departed on 13 January 2021.
The group in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Convener, Dr. Iyke Ezeugo said that the event will commence with a night of tributes. It disclosed that the day will be dedicated to memories of the gallant navy chief, who embraced democracy with zeal.
The organisers of the event, said it was the least it could do “to honour a man who stood firmly for democracy at great inconvenience in the heady days that preceded civilian rule in 1999”.
“Rear Admiral was a great man who stood up to be counted whenever matters that affected Nigeria were discussed. He acquitted himself creditably in his military career, stood firm in his place discharging his duties gallantly during and after the Civil War,”
PiMi enjoined Nigerians to join Abuja residents to honour Rear Admiral Kanu.”He was a simple, intelligent, brave man, an outstanding nationalist who left us with an excellent example of service and leadership – speaking only when it mattered and without fear or favour. His sense of purpose and style of engagements in social, political and developmental matters distinguished him” he said.
Born 3rd November 1943, Kanu was ju 31 when he was appointed by Murtala Muhammed’s Supreme Military Council. Olusegun Obasanjo, who succeeded Murtala in 1976, appointed him as military Governor of Imo State (the present Abia, Imo, and parts of Ebonyi States). He was later appointment Governor of Lagos State. He returned to the Navy as an outstanding Chief with remarkable service medals. He also served with the United Nations Forces in Lebanon.
Kanu was credited with providing the vision, resources and platform for the town planners that prepared the development plan of the old Imo state which Gov. Sam Mbakwe executed to the letter. Kanu increased the number of local government areas in the State to 21 and also established the Imo Broadcasting Service (now Imo Broadcasting Corporation).
After his retirement, he founded thhOhio toded RANGK Ltd, a maritime consultancy. He was also Chairman of the Ohaneze Transition Caretaker Committee, and was Director of Fidelity Bank PLC. Kanu became a top National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain and later the Chairman of the coalition in 2013.
Kanu died of complications from the COVID-19 virus and will be buried in his native Isiukwato, Abia State, on 15 October 2021.
