Ndubuisi Kanu: Buhari, Adebanjo, Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, Afenifere, Gbajabiamila, Orji Kalu mourn

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late Rear Admiral Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu as a patriotic Nigerian whose credentials will continue to inspire younger generations.
A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), reads:
“President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with family and friends of former military administrator of Lagos and Imo States, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, 77, praying for God’s covering over all his loved ones.
“The President condoles with all professional colleagues of the gallant military officer, who distinguished himself in all positions and responsibilities during service, taking up more daunting, but historically rewarding challenges like speaking up for the weak and vulnerable, and the struggle for the country’s return to democratic government.
“President Buhari believes late Rear Admiral Kanu’s credentials in serving the nation, as a career military officer and as an activist with NADECO in actualising the June 12, 1993 mandate, remains commendable and will continue to inspire younger generations on patriotism.
The President prays for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman”.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, elder statesman and a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), described Kanu as a dedicated loyalist to the cause of a restructured Nigeria.
Adebanjo, a leader of Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, made the remark in his reaction to the death of Kanu, a former military governor of Imo in 1975 and governor of Lagos State in 1976, who died on Wednesday, aged 77.
“This is a great loss. He will be greatly missed. He was a gallant soldier, great patriot, nationalist, progressive politician and a dedicated loyalist to the cause of a restructured Nigeria.
“He will be greatly missed. I have been in a shock at the news of his death. May his soul rest in peace,” Adebanjo, a staunch supporter of late nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, said.
The nonagenarian said that Kanu would be remembered for being a great nationalist who believed in the restructuring of the country as the only panacea to move Nigeria forward.
In 1975, Kanu was the only Igbo appointed into the Supreme Military Council before General Olusegun Obasanjo dissolved it when he assumed office in 1976 as head of state.
He fought on the Biafran side during the civil war, but was reabsorbed into the Nigerian military at the end of the war in 1970.
Kanu, as a retired warrior-at-sea, who occupied many commands and political offices as part of his military postings, quickly civilianised himself when he retired from service.
He was a member of the pro-democracy group, NADECO, which fought for the revalidation of the late Moshood Abiola’s annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential mandate.
Also, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, described the death 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.”
As a naval chief, who occupied many command and political offices as part of his military postings,  Kanu civilianised himself when he retired from service.
He was a member of the pro-democracy group, National Democratic Coalition, which fought for the re-validation of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential Election.
Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described Kanu as a rare breed for his singular consistency and unwavering commitment to social justice, democracy and federalism in Nigeria.
Sadly, this great man who so loved this country and its many people passed from us on Wednesday in Lagos at 77.
Asiwaju Tinubu, a close colleague of the late Kanu in NADECO and a personal friend, paid tribute to this great patriot in a statement issued by his Media Office.
He said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of former military administrator of Lagos and Imo states, Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.
“He was my brother and a very courageous partner in the struggle for democracy and enthronement of true federalism in Nigeria.
In everything he did, from his work as former administrator of Lagos State to the sacrifices he made to help NADECO during the struggle for the actualization of June 12, Real Admiral Kanu was highly principled. He provided democratic vision and meaningful ideas to advance that historic struggle.
“He was a patriot and a progressive. A rare breed in his consistent and unwavering commitment to social justice, democracy, and workable federalism in Nigeria.
“Admiral Kanu was a Lagosian, true Nigerian nationalist in the very best sense of that phrase.
“After his retirement, he freely gave of himself to bring progress to Lagos State by lending creative ideas as well as the fruits of his ample experience to successive administrations in Lagos including mine from 1999 to 2007.
“He demonstrated true belief and interest in the progress and development of the state.
“With his immense experience and gentle mien, the admiral offered intelligence and meaningful advice which always proved helpful in solving problems at critical times.
“My deepest condolences now go to his family, particularly his wife and children, and all those who loved and respected this extraordinary Lagosian and Nigerian. May God strengthen and comfort them at this moment for only He can help them bear this loss.
“I extend my sympathies to Governors Babajide Sanwo-olu and Hope Uzodinma of Lagos and Imo States, the governments and people of the two states which Rear Admiral Kanu served with such distinction and dedication. 
“This outstanding man and patriot is now with God and may his soul now rest in perfect peace.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed sadness over the death of Kanu.
Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Wednesday, 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 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.”
 
The Governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise the deceased is to ensure that good governance the deceased and others fought for spreads to every facet of the society.
 
“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.
Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, also expressed sadness over the passing of Kanu.
Gbajabiamilia expressed his grief in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Lanre Lasisi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Gbajabiamilia said that the late 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.
According to him, Kanu will also be remembered  as a patriotic Nigerian who played a role in the making of Lagos State.
While condoling with the family he left behind, the speaker prayed God to grant the soul of Kanu eternal rest.
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu, described the death of Kanu as `a big loss’ to Ndigbo and Nigeria as a whole.
Kalu, in a condolence message on Wednesday, commiserated with Ndigbo, the people and government of Abia in particular over Kanu’s demise.
While noting that the deceased was one of the few prominent Nigerians that fought for the enthronement of democracy, Kalu urged the political class to emulate the worthy legacies of the late statesman.
The lawmaker described the retired naval officer as humble, dogged, courageous and fair in his pursuits in public service.
“I received with pain the news of the passage of a leading light in Igboland and former Chairman of NADECO, retired Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu.
“The late statesman contributed immensely to the enthronement and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“The democracy Nigerians are enjoying today is attributed to efforts of the deceased and a few others. He lived a fulfilled life dedicated to national service and humanity.
“He has left indelible footprints in the annals of Nigeria’s democracy, owing to his remarkable, unbeatable and historic good deeds.
“The late statesman will surely be missed for his counsel at the community, sub-national and national levels,” he said.
The former governor prayed God to repose the soul of the deceased and urged his family to uphold the good legacies of its late patriarch.
Kanu died on Wednesday at the age of 78 years.
He was appointed military governor of Imo in March 1976 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Kanu was the first governor after the decree that established the state from part of the old East Central State.
He was transferred to become the governor of Lagos State in 1977, leaving office in July 1978.
Kanu later became Rear Admiral and Naval Chief.
He became a top National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain and Chairman of the coalition in 2013.