Zwingina’s Funeral Activities Begin on Wednesday 

The remains of Senator Jonathan Zwingina, who died recently, will be buried on April 22 in his hometown in Guyuk, Adamawa State after a funeral service.

He was 70.

According to a statement signed on behalf of the Zwingina family and the funeral committee by former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani and a former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, the funeral rites would kick off in Abuja on Wednesday evening with a commendation service at First Baptist Church.

This would be followed by a Night of Tributes on Thursday at Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro.
On April 21, there would be a Night of Commendations and Tributes in Yola.

In the statement, the burial committee paid tributes to Zwingina as follows: “Senator Zwingina’s contribution to Nigeria’s development spans across several sectors of our nation’s life: He was a Scholar, Technocrat, Public Servant and Politician of high repute. He left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.

“He was a leading voice in the struggle for democracy and was the Director General of the late MKO Abiola’s Hope ‘93 Campaign Organisation during the iconic June 12th, 1993 presidential election. His intellectual depth, eloquence and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals resonated deeply with Nigerians.

“Following the return to democratic rule, Senator Zwingina was elected twice to represent the good people of the Southern Senatorial District of Adamawa State. While in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 1999 to 2007, he served as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader of the fourth Assembly.

“Due to his multivalent experience in public service, he was appointed the Chairman Senate Committee on Works and Housing. He also served as member, Senate Committees on Information; Establishment; Internal Affairs; Special Projects; Privatisation and Economic Affairs.

“In the Senate, he was a vocal advocate of due process, promoter of national development priorities with particular emphasis on policy, good governance, the oversight role of the parliament in government accountability to the people, among others.
“Prior to his time in the National Assembly, Senator Zwingina played a pivotal role in shaping national discourse as a Director of the Mass Mobilisation for Social Justice Self-Reliance, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) programme during President Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration.”