A former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Roland Owie has expressed sadness over the death of the Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga.
The ex-lawmaker described the late Nkanga as an exemplary pilot, administrator, philanthropist, community leader, fine Officer, gentleman, and true child of God.
His condolence message was contained in a letter to the wife of the late politician, Deaconess Funmi Idongesit Nkanga.
“My family and I were deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of your dear husband and our illustrious brother, His Excellency, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, the chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“We join you and the entire family in celebrating the life and times of an exemplary pilot, administrator, philanthropist, community leader, fine officer, gentleman, and above all, a true child of God,” Owie said.
He said the late Nkanga was passionate in his defence of Nigerian unity as he was devoted to his roots in the Niger Delta.
“A quintessential Pan-Nigerian, he actively promoted the history and culture of his local community of Ikot Nya, who also immensely benefited from his wise counsel and generosity.
“As Chairman of the Pan- Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), our much-respected brother contributed to more profound co-existence and harmony among the Niger Delta people and provided strategic leadership in articulating the region’s collective aspirations.
“He was a committed and effective representative of the Niger Delta people and worked for their progress. His unfaltering support for the general interest of the region cannot be over-emphasised.
“He was loyal, devoted, dedicated, and faithful generally to the Niger Delta cause and interest.
“As Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he was a forthright and visionary administrator that laid the foundations of what is today one of the Country’s most developed Sub-National entities.
“We believe that you should be exceedingly proud of the honest, patriotic and diligent service that our brother rendered to his family, the land of his birth – Akwa Ibom State – the Niger Delta region and the nation.
“Of most memorable note was his demonstration of an interminable belief in the primacy of education and his investment in the development of human capital of the Niger Delta peoples, as a key enabler of regional development.
“But of more profound comfort to us was his experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and his service to the Church and the Gospel.
“So we are confident that today, he lives eternally with the Lord. Indeed, the clear evidence of his exemplary life of discipline and reverence to God is evident in the legacy of a godly inheritance that he has left in all of his children, for which we give thanks to God,” Owie added.
He prayed that the good Lord would preserve the wife, children and the entire family.
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