In recognition of his valued contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom, the state government has immortalized by naming Ring Road 111 in Uyo after the late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd), the former Military Governor of the state.
Nkanga built the State Secretariat, Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (Radio and Television Services), IBB Avenue in Uyo, among others.
The Ring Road III springs from Efiat Offot menacing through Ifa Ikot Okpon to Akamba Nsukkara opposite University of Uyo Permanent site.
The resolution was reached at a special valedictory session of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council held at EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo on Friday, February 5, 2021.
The colourful event featured tributes from the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon) Aniekan Bassey; Senator Helen Esuene who represented Akwa Ibom South South in the Upper chambers and Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua, a retired Akwa Ibom Chief Judge.
Governor Udom Emmanuel in his tribute described the late Military Governor as a close friend, confidant and a reference point of patriotism, statesmanship and pledged as a memorial to emulate his deeds of actions.
“He became a reference point of patriotism, statesmanship, forthrightness, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga Rtd a gentleman, an officer a nationalist a good Christian, my political Director-General my personal friend leader of Ibibio nation goodnight.
“Therefore, we pledge that the labour of His Excellency, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga for our State and the South-South region of Nigeria shall not be in vain.
”We pledge to continue with more vigor to continue in the paths he traversed while he was with us and keep the candle of his memories and legacies burning.
”It is on this note that the he State Executive Council passed a resolution that Ring Road III you stood with me to do the ground breaking be named after you Sir Commodore Idongesit Nkanga and not Ring Road III,” the Governor eulogised.
Bemoaning the passage of Nkanga, the governor made reference to his contributions to the growth of Akwa Ibom State, pointing out that he was a coordinating force in Akwa Ibom State and the entire South-South region.
Emmanuel noted, “Words will fail me to describe how we grieved when we lost this Idongesit of our time. It took time for the void and disbelief to be filled with the acknowledgement that icon now belongs to the ages and not with us anymore that was when we realized how much he meant to us.
”How much we identified with him how much he had become part of the Akwa Ibom dream we feel a collective sense of deprivation because he still had a lot to contribute.”
The Governor Emmanuel, however, consoled with the family of Nkanga, praying God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“The entire Akwa Ibom family has the deepest sympathy for his wife, children, his aged father and his entire family. We share your pain and stand together with you to solicit the comfort of the Holy Spirit as we stand in this Exco Chambers.”
He was the chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, a two-term Director-General of The Divine Mandate Campaign.
High points of the occasion featured placing national and the state flags in honour of the departed former Military Governor, Idongesit Nkanga.
