By Aliyu DANLADI
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has described the death of former Minister of Works, Chief Anthony Anenih, as a great loss, saying the late elder statesman served Nigeria meritoriously.
Obasanjo, who paid glowing tributes to the former minister in a condolence letter dated Oct. 29, to the Head of Anenih’s family, noted that the deceased lived a well-fulfilled life.
He said in the letter made available to newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, that God had been kind to Anenih in many ways.
The former president added that the demise of Anenih marked the end of the “inspiring chapter of Nigeria’s history.”
The former Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT) died on Sunday at the age of 85.
Obasanjo said the life of Anenih who he appointed Minister of Works in 1999 was an archetypal lesson in public service and leadership at its best.
“He served the nation with devotion and diligence in his chosen profession. His service in the Nigeria Police Force was distinguished by high professional standard.
“He was an epitome of humility and dignity both in service and retirement, even though he rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police before retirement.
“In the course of a lifetime of remarkable contributions to the political sector of the nation, Anenih became a national icon and authentic role model.
“He remained one of the outstanding leaders of our generation,” the former president said.
