Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has described the death of Sen. Joseph Waku as “a monumental loss to the state and the entire Nigeria.”
He said Waku was a “mentor”, adding that his death had robbed Benue of “a committed defender.”
For the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue, Mr Emmanuel Jime, Waku was one of the greatest leaders Benue had ever produced.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase, Ortom eulogised Waku as “a defender of the common man,” adding that he was known for his “forthrightness, courage and love for fellow human beings.”
Waku, who passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja, on Sunday represented Benue North-West Senatorial District at the upper chambers between 1999 and 2003. He was aged 73.
Ortom noted that he was one of his ardent supporters, who encouraged him to face the task of governance at very difficult moments.
“He promoted unity, equity, peace and justice for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religion and political leaning,” he said.
According to him, the death of Waku was quite painful to the government and people of Benue, because he was a father to all.
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He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the strength to bear the loss.
Also reacting to Waku’s death, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue, Mr Emmanuel Jime, said, “He was a key leader and had strong ideas on issues like governance and justice. He carried out all tasks assigned to him with diligence and brilliance.”
Jime said that Waku’s demise was particularly painful to him because “he was my father.”
Until his death, Waku was the Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
