Engr. Makoju on Wednesday attended the board meeting of the Geregu Power Plant.
Engr. Joseph Makoju’s death on Monday came as a shock to many, particularly Femi Otedola, the Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, and other company directors, whom he had joined in a board meeting on Wednesday, only to die on Monday at a private hospital in Abuja.
Engr, Makoju attended a board meeting of the company last Wednesday, and Otedola, who was also present at the meeting, indicated that he is still in shock. During the meeting, he was likewise his usual lively self, with no signs of illness.
“It’s still hard for me to believe he’s gone because he was still full of life and showed no symptoms of discomfort when we met at the board meeting a few days ago.”
Joseph Makoju was a board member of Geregu Power Plant before his death.
What others have to say
Makoju, according to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, is a revered administrator who has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.
Makoju’s sound knowledge, administrative ingenuity, and commitment to nation-building were felt when he served as Special Adviser (Electric Power) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Honorary Adviser on Electric Power to President Muhammadu Buhari, and on the West African Power Pool Executive Board, according to the governor.
He stated that the Okene-born brilliant technocrat, who is also a member of the Kogi State Economic Advisory Council, has a wonderful track record in the private sector that is likewise deserving of praise, adding that he has brought great honor to his nation.
“He was a stalwart in the Nigerian electricity business,” Otedola continued. In Nigeria, he built and commissioned many power facilities, notably Gerregu 1 and 2. He was the former MD of Lafarge, Dangote Cement, and Alhaji Dangote’s Chief of Staff. He was the consummate gentleman and the best in his field. We’ve lost a treasure. May his soul, as well as the souls of the faithful dead, rest in peace through God’s grace.”
He opined that the Okene born astute technocrat, who was also a member of the Kogi State Economic Advisory Council, has a remarkable track record in the private sector which was also worthy of accolades adding that he brought great honour to his homeland.
Otedola added, “He was a pillar in the Nigerian electricity sector. He built several power plants in Nigeria including the building and commissioning of Gerregu 1 and 2. He was the former MD of Lafarge, Dangote Cement, and former Chief of Staff to Alhaji Dangote. He was a perfect gentleman and the best in this trade. We have lost a gem. !ay his soul and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest in Peace.”
The management of TCN Nigeria also tweeted, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Engr. Joseph Makoju, our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
“We are extremely grieved by the demise of Engr. Joseph Makoju, our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” TCN Nigeria’s management said.
Makoju: What You Need to Know
Makoju was born in Okene, Kogi State, on July 13, 1948.
He attended the Federal Government College in Warri, Delta State, before going on to the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom to study mechanical engineering, graduating with honors in 1972.
In 1974, he earned a master of philosophy in mechanical engineering from the same institution.
From 1989 to 1990, he studied at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS in Kuru, Jos, and holds an honorary doctor of science degree in engineering from the Federal University of Nigeria.
From 1989 to 1990, he studied at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, and possesses an honorary doctor of science in engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo both had Makoju as a special adviser on electric power.
He was also a one-time chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and served as an honorary adviser to Dangote Group’s president/chief executive.
Makoju stepped down as Dangote Cement’s GMD/CEO in 2020, a position he had held since April 2018.
He was the first chairman of the West African Power Pool’s Board of Directors and the defunct National Electric Power Authority (Power Holding Company of Nigeria Managing)’s Director.
