Babangida, Abubakar, Gowon pay tribute to political scholar Prof Elaigwu

Former Heads of State, Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar, have paid glowing tributes to the late Professor of Political Science and President of the Institute of Governance and Social Research, Prof. Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, describing him as a “lost gem”.

Similarly, former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark; former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu; and former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, were among dignitaries who honoured the late scholar on Friday night in Abuja at a Night of Tributes held in his memory.

Represented by Ambassador Godwin Adama, General Babangida described Prof. Elaigwu as an exemplary patriot, an intellectual giant, and a truly international colossus in the field of political science.

Reflecting on their association, Babangida said Elaigwu had a fulfilling career as a scholar, teacher and researcher in universities and institutions around the world, noting that his sterling reputation was what brought them together.

He said, “It was his reputation that brought me into contact with him as a major intellectual powerhouse. I am proud to recall that when I had the privilege of leading our nation, Prof. Elaigwu was one of those whom I invited to join us in the Presidential Advisory Committee, which we set up to enlarge the intellectual horizon of our policy framework for national governance.

“The PAC became the intellectual powerhouse and sounding board for our various reforms and governance policies. In that context, Prof. Elaigwu became an invaluable resource in matters of federalism, political science, and democratic experimentation. Since our political reform process involved a lot of experimentation with various forms of elections and constituency management strategies, Prof. Elaigwu collaborated effectively with his political science colleagues to strengthen our administration”.

He added that Prof. Elaigwu was an easy-going, candid and down-to-earth colleague who approached every task with calmness and camaraderie.