Prominent leaders and scholars of Tiv extraction converged on Gboko, the headquarters of Tivland, to pay tribute to the late Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo, a former Minister of Steel in Nigeria’s Second Republic. The symposium, held on November 27, 2024, brought together distinguished personalities, including Prof Iorwuese Hagher, Prof Zacharys Gundu, Prof Kohol Iornem, Dr Kennedy Ubwa, and General Atom Kpera, to honor Unongo’s life and legacy.
Prof Kohol Shadrach Iornem, a UK-based humanitarian and academic, delivered a keynote address on “10 Leadership Lessons From Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo.” Iornem described Unongo as a selfless, visionary, compassionate, and charismatic leader whose legacies will continue to inspire generations to come. He highlighted Unongo’s establishment of the JULADACO Group of Companies, which provided essential services such as healthcare, education, and transportation to the people.
Other speakers, including Prof Iorwuese Hagher and Rev Dr Kennedy Ubwa, praised Unongo’s commitment to justice, equity, and inclusivity. They noted that his legacy extends beyond the Tiv nation to Nigeria as a whole. General Atom Kpera, who chaired the occasion, described Unongo as a fantastic politician who fought for the good of his people.
The symposium was a testament to Unongo’s enduring impact on the Tiv nation and Nigeria. As Prof David Iornem noted, Unongo’s patriotic efforts led to the splitting of the Tiv Native Authority into three to attract spread in relevance and development.
