The former military governor of Imo and Lagos States, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), has died at 77.
He reportedly died this morning in a Lagos hospital. He was appointed Imo State governor in 1975 and Lagos State governor in 1976.
He will be best remembered for his role in the struggle to end military rule in Nigeria as a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
An associate of the late pro-democracy activist and President, Women Arise and Centre for Change, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, said she was devastated by his death.
In a statement she personally signed, Okei-Odumakin said the late Kanu “stood against the injustice of any form and defended righteousness at all times”.
The statement reads, “We are devastated to learn of the death of the former governor of Lagos state, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.
“The sad event took place this morning.
“Admiral Kanu would forever be remembered as a worthy NADECO leader who gave his all to the anti-military struggle in one of the darkest moments of this country’s history.
“He was at the forefront of the struggle for the restructuring of Nigeria into a proper federal arrangement.
“He stood against the injustice of any form and defended righteousness at all times.
“He was a regular face at all remembrances for our departed heroes and he has just become one of them.
“There is no one who knew this ebullient spirit who would not be devasted by his death at this critical moment.
“A great “Iroko” has fallen in our forest and we deeply mourn him.
“Goodnite, great patriot!”