By Correspondent in Lokoja.
Late Engr. Makoju.
Governor, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has mourned the death of former, CEO/Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Company Limited, Engr. Joseph Makoju who passed away on Monday at 73 in Abuja.
Governor Bello, in his condolence message, through his Chief Press Secretary Muhammed Onogwu described the revered administrator as a man who left indelible footprints in Nigeria’s political and economic environment.
He noted that the Makoju, although fulfilled in age, would be dearly missed as an elder statesman whose role in giving note worthy counsel to leadership, could never be undermined, noting he(Makoju) served as a Special Adviser to three presidents of Nigeria.
The governor also 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.
The Reporters gathered that Makoju, died at Nizamiye hospital in Abuja, from a heart related issue, according to family sources.
The 73-year-old, seasoned administrator also served as Special Adviser (Electric Power) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Special Adviser to the President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote from 2009 to 2018.
He retired as the Group Managing Director/ CEO, Dangote Cement PLC on January 31, 2020, having held that position since April 2018.
Born on 13 July, 1948 in Okene, headquarters of Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, Makoju was also Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the erstwhile National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)/Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN); Nigeria’s national electricity utility.
He worked in several world-class organisations,including Shell-BP; Blue Circle (UK), and WAPCO, which he headed as Managing Director/CEO for about a decade before taking up appointment as Managing Director/CEO, National Electric Power Authority.
Makoju was appointed ,consecutively ,as Special Adviser to three presidents of Nigeria.
He was pioneer Chairman, Board of the West African Power Pool for eight years and remained in that office until his death, also Chairman, Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN).
The deceased belonged to several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers,(NSE), Nigerian Institute of Management and British Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
He held a number of awards, including a national honour from the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) and another national honour from the Republic of Niger as Grand Commander of the Special Order of Merit (GCSO).
Makoju was a Harford award winner of Government College, Kaduna and also a J. F. Kennedy essays award winner of Federal Government College, Warri.
He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK, and graduated with a first-class honour in 1972 as well as obtaining Msc( Mechanical Engineering) in 1974 from the same university.
He attended National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies( NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, from 1989 to 1990 and was honoured with honorary Doctor of Science degree in engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
He was the pioneer chairman, Board of the West African Power Pool and a former managing director of the National Electric Power Authority (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) among others accomplishments that equipped him for the tremendous role he played to the society during his life time.
Our gathered that the deceased was bestowed with the chieftaincy title of Oyeyani of Ebiraland.
Also in his condolence message, a retired permanent secretary in kogi state civil service,who is also a notable playwrite in the country, Mr Adavi Abraham expressed shock over the death of Engr.Nakoju.
He said:”Following a Facebook publication in respect of a true nationalist, an industrial giant, a seasoned administrator and a professional per excellence, one is shocked about the sudden demise of an Elder Statesman from Ebiraland.
“The news of his death is indeed a very big shock. The power sector, cement industry, his agricultural revolution is first among equal in Nigeria.
“His international relations is poignant and cogent. He is a well known philanthropist according to several youth accounts and a robust labour employer.
” Only God knows how to fill this vacuum for Africa as a continent, Nigeria as a nation, Kogi State and Ebiraland, most especially.
“Spiritual, he was well known with his christian faith.
“As heaven is rejoicing in welcome you home, we will surely miss your humble disposition and the spirit of developing one’s fatherland.
“Aduhuo, Adayi Engineer Doctor Joseph Makoju.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
