From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has described the death of Former, CEO/Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement PLC, Engineer Joseph Makoju as a colossal loss to the state and Nigeria in general.
The Governor said that the news of the demise of the renowned technocract which occurred on Monday came to him as a rude shock.
Governor Bello in a condolence message, through his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, also described the revered administrator as a man who has left his indelible footprint in Nigeria’s political and economic environment.
He noted that Engr. Makoju would be dearly missed as an elder statesman whose role in giving worthy counsel to leadership could never be undermined having served as a Special Adviser to three presidents of Nigeria.
The governor recalled that Engineer Makoju’s sound knowledge, administrative ingenuity and commitment to nation building was felt when he served as Special Adviser (Eletric Power) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Honorary Adviser on Electric Power to the current President/Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, as well as West African Power Pool Executive Board.
He opined that the Okene born astute technocrat’s remarkable track record in the private sector left legacies that has brought great honour to his home country, Nigeria.
The Governor commiserated with the Family, friends, and associates of the elder statesman while he prayed God to grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.
Engineer Joseph Makoju, died on Monday at the age of 73, following a protracted illness.