Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has paid a glowing tribute to the late Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, describing him as a towering intellectual, patriotic statesman, and a formidable pillar in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. During a condolence visit to the family residence in Dogon Karfe, Jos, Governor Mutfwang extolled the life and legacy of the renowned political scientist.
“Prof. Elaigwu was not just a lecturer; he was an institution in himself,” the Governor remarked. “Having spent the greater part of his career in Jos, his intellectual contributions helped shape the civic and scholarly identity of Plateau State.” Governor Mutfwang recounted taking an elective course under the late professor in 1984, an experience he described as transformative.
“It was a turning point in my academic journey,” he said. “His teachings ignited in me a lifelong passion for public policy and democratic governance.” The Governor praised Professor Elaigwu’s pivotal role during Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule under General Ibrahim Babangida, describing his intellectual interventions and advisory engagements as “crucial to laying the foundational blocks of democratic governance.”
Governor Mutfwang expressed profound condolences to the bereaved family and the broader academic community, stating that Nigeria has lost one of its brightest minds. “This is a national loss. But we are comforted by the life of scholarship, patriotism, and integrity he lived, values that continue to inspire and shape nation-building,” he said.
As a symbolic mark of honor, Governor Mutfwang directed that the ongoing road construction project in the area be extended to the late professor’s residence. He emphasized that the gesture would stand as a modest but lasting tribute to a man whose contributions elevated the intellectual and democratic fabric of the state and the nation.
Responding on behalf of the family, Victoria Elaigwu, the daughter of the deceased and current President of the Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), thanked the Governor for the condolence visit. She pledged the family’s and the Institute’s commitment to sustaining her father’s vision for peace, good governance, and inclusive development. The late Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, who passed away at the age of 77, left behind a rich legacy of academic excellence, public service, and unwavering commitment to national development.