October 1 every year is usually set aside for Nigerians and friends alike to join in commemorating the country’s independence gotten from the British colonial masters in 1960.
Unlike the military era where the some celebration anniversaries were done in a low key form, the 58th independence anniversary was marked with pomps across the country.
The civilians including school children took part in the march past and the military did parade and mounted Guard-of-Honour to mark the event.
While the military and Nigerian legionnaires were marking the event on October 1 in grand style and also celebrating the country’s 18th uninterrupted democracy, retired Brigadier General Godwin Lawrence Afangideh from Afaha Esang, Afaha Obong clan in Abak local government area of Akwa Ibom State did not join his colleagues at the stadium but rather left for the eternal home of the living at 1.40 p.m.
What an irony of life and a fated incident to die on Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary!
Born on July 17, 1935, Brigadier General Afangideh finished from Holy Family College, Oku Abak in 1957.
He joined Nigerian Army in 1966, commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1968, rose to the rank of Brigadier General and retired in 1993 as Director of Training, Nigerian Army.
While in the service, he bagged many awards such as Forces Services Star, FSS; Meritorious Service Star, MSS; Distinguished Service Star, DSS; Fellow of War College, FWC and Diploma, Advanced Infantry, USA.
Married to Vivian with six children-three sons and three daughters and eight grand children, Afangideh was the National Secretary of Afe Annang, a socio-cultural organisation in the country.
His remains will be committed to earth on Friday, October 19, 2018 in his hometown, Afaha Asang after a funeral mass by Catholic Church in Afaha Obong.
