The Federal Government has been urged to immortalise a one-time Chief of Air Staff, the late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok (rtd), for his selfless service and contributions to the state and Nigeria.
Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel made the call when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, visited to condole him on the death of the late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok (rtd) on Saturday, January 9, at the Hilltop Mansion, Government House, Uyo.
Eduok who died on January 6, this year hailed from Akwa Ibom State.
“Whatever the Air Force can also do to immortalise his name will be appreciated. We believe the Nigerian Air Force can do something.
”He remains in history as the only man alive and death that has been named twice as the Chief of Air Staff that alone should qualify him for something remarkable so that wherever we turn we will remember our illustrious son being remembered by the Nigerian Air Force,” he noted.
Emmanuel saw Eduok’s death as a colossal loss not only to his immediate family but also to the state, particularly acknowledged his contributions to the Nigerian Air Force and the country, appealing to the Air Force authorities to immortalise the deceased in appreciation of his laudable contributions to the Air Force.
The Governor lamented that both the family and the State are in pains for this loss, saying “It is a big tragedy and a huge loss for the state especially as we lost two senior officers of the Àir Force within two weeks.
“First loss was on Christmas eve, when the indigenous Military Governor of the State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) passed away and just as we were mourning, this gentleman man, an illustrious son, a good adviser of this government just passed on. So, you can imagine how we are feeling but we cannot question God.
“I want to use this opportunity to urge you to pray for the family especially the children. It is not easy to lose a father at such a time. It pains us as a people; it is a huge loss to the people, the State and the present administration.’’
While condoling with the Nigerian Air Force over the demise of an officer whom he said stood out during his services to the Force, Governor Emmanuel acknowledged the show of love by Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar to the deceased particularly while receiving treatment at the hospital.
He added that it was God’s will that the elder statesman passed on even after the huge effort was made medically to save his life.
“I want to appreciate the Chief of Air Staff, he has shown a very sincere mind and he is someone with a good heart, he could have just attended the burial or probably send a representative but for him to personally lead a lot of his generals and officers to pay us this condolence, we don’t take it for granted.
”On behalf of the government and good people of this State, we register our sincere appreciation to the Nigerian Air Force,” he stated.
Earlier, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar had described the late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok as a great General, a dependable ally, great air fighter pilot and a scholar, saying that the deceased contributed significantly to the development of the Nigerian Air Force.
The Air Force chief assured the deceased family of logistic support by Nigerian Air Force to accord the former Chief of Air Staff a befitting burial.
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen; immediate past Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN; Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon; Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh received the Chief of Air Staff’s delegation.
