More Nigerians Mourn Enahoro

More Nigerians have continued to mourn the passage of elder statesman and  nationalist, Pa Anthony Enahoro, 87, who died in the early hours of yesterday at the  University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, where he was rushed to  when his health deteriorated.

The leader of the Bafarawa Movement and a presidential aspirant of the Action  Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Attahiru Bafarawa, in his statement on the death of  Enahoro, described him as a humanitarian and a fighter for the oppressed.

The former Sokoto State Governor stated: “It is with great shock that I received the  passing of this wonderful man, a frontline statesman, a father, humanitarian and  fighter for the oppressed, Chief Anthony Enahoro.

“It is sad that though Enahoro passed on at the ripe old age of 87, those of us who  knew him would have wanted him around as the nation navigates this tortuous balance  on the precipice.”

The ACN presidential aspirant prayed Allah to forgive Enahoro his sins and grant him  eternal rest.

“May I, on behalf of my family, the Bafarawa Campaign Organization and The Bafarawa  Movement pray that Allah forgives our dearly beloved chief all his sins and grant  him eternal rest.

“We shall miss him but God who gives, knows why he is taking Chief Anthony Enahoro  now. His family should find comfort in the fact that Chief Enahoro served Nigeria  and humanity most of his adult life. Such is the life that we must all emulate,” he  said.

Former Governor of Kaduna State,  Alhaji Balarabe Musa said he was sad by the death  of Enahoro, saying the nation has lost a gem.

“His death is a great loss to Nigeria . He lives a life of struggle to liberate  Nigeria and he should be remembered for that. I condole with his family,” he stated.

On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola mourned the passage of  Enahoro, describing the elder statesman as a principled and courageous nationalist.

In his letter to the widow of Pa Enahoro, Mrs. Helen Enahoro, Fashola noted that the  political icon “bestrode the political landscape of our dear country for over six  decades. He was selfless and committed to the cause of true federalism and a strong,  united, prosperous Nigeria .

“The political history of Nigeria is incomplete without the name of Chief Anthony  Eromonsele Enahoro. As a thoroughbred journalist, he constantly walked the path of  fire in his commitment to the cause of political freedom and emancipation of our  people from colonial rule.

“The elder statesman would be fondly remembered for his forthrightness, candor and  courage as well as his principled stand on national issues He was a great  nationalist who was welcomed in any home in Nigeria. During the unforgettable and  momentous period in the history of our struggle for democratic governance, we  remember his leadership of PRONACO and NADECO.”

“He will be fondly remembered for his forthrightness, candor, courage and principled  stand on national issues. He will be missed by the progressives, the catholic  church, the media and Nigerians. Indeed, Papa’s death signals the end of a glorious  era in the history of our beloved country. His life serves as a source of  inspiration for the rest of us, the younger generation of Nigerians, on commitment  to nation building and the commonwealth of the people,” Fashola added.

Also, the Pro National Conference Organisation, PRONACO which was founded by Enahoro  celebrated his passing away, saying: “We recall with fond memories the role this  indefatigable nationalist played when he moved the motion for Nigeria’s Independence  in 1953.

“The exemplary leadership Pa Enahoro provided for the people’s resistance against  gangsterism in our country as the leader of the National Democratic Coalition  (NADECO) and PRONACO stands him tall among the genuine few heroes we can be proud  of.”

A statement issued by the organization revealed that Enahoro’s entire life was  devoted to extending the frontiers of democracy and freedom of the rule of law,  stressing that uppermost in his crusade was the agitation for a just and proper  federation which did not materialize till he died.

“Chief Enahoro during his life time fought so many battles for the people of  Nigeria, among which was the struggle and motion for Independence in 1953, the  formation of NADECO and the ousting of the of the military from governance in 1998  and the establishment of PRONACO and presentation of alternative peoples’  constitution for Nigeria in 2007.

“Our movement in consultation with his immediate family, eminent progressive  leaders, key stakeholders, government and the international community shall be  discussing, in succeeding days, ways of immortalizing Anthony Enahoro, the icon of  Nigeria’s current democracy,” it stated.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga

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