Former Military Governor of Imo State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu who assumed office shortly after the state was carved out of the Old East Central State in March 1976, died yesterday afternoon.
Rear Admiral Kanu, who after a short while as military governor of Imo State, was transferred to become governor of Lagos State in 1977, a position he held until 1978.
Late Kanu, who as at the time he governed Imo and Lagos States, was a Lieutenant Commander, was appointed a member of Murtala Muhammed’s Supreme Military Council in 1975, later became Rear Admiral and one time Chief of Naval Staff before he retired from service.
As the pioneer governor of Imo State, he initiated and produced the Owerri Master Plan, constructed roads in Owerri metropolis, increased the number of local government councils to 21 and established the Imo Broadcasting service (IBC) that made its first broadcast in December 1976.
He also built the Aladinma Housing Estate Owerri, which he conceived as a low cost housing estate for Imo State civil servants who relocated then from different parts of the old East Central State.
Ndubuisi Kanu, a front line member of the National Democratic Coalition that fought relentlessly for the end of military rule in the country, will be remembered for his vocal and relentless struggle for the emancipation of the Igbo race from marginalization and subjugation.
