Oh death: Ephraim Inyangeyen pays passionate tribute to Idongesit Nkanga
It came to me with rude shock the announcement of the sudden death of Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (Rtd,), a patriotic Nigerian, a true son of the soil, and first indigenous military Governor of Akwa Ibom State. He was a humanist, mentor, and one of the very dependable elders and resilient pillars of the Akwa Ibom Project.
In all ramifications, this is the worst possible blow to be dealt with Akwa Ibom people, the Nigerian nation, and the entire humanity at a time like this; a time when bold and trusted voice like this great Nigerian was still critically indispensable in State and National discourse towards a better Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
As an exceptional military officer and frontline leader, you set the pace and laid the foundation for what is known as Akwa Ibom State today, for which every living Akwa Ibom person and those yet unborn will always live to remember. Your towering landmarks, your inerasable footprints on the sand of times, and the undying branch of boundless hope in a greater future that you held out till the last moment of your existence can never be forgotten. As your name symbolizes, you had come as a timely and true consolation to Akwa Ibom people who held you in the highest esteem to the very end.
I painfully remember you as a personal friend, mentor, and confidante, a quintessential leader, peacemaker, great adviser, Voice of the voiceless, the indomitable soldier, and incorruptible advocate of justice and fairness for the Niger Delta people on the platform of the Pan-Niger Elders Forum (PANDEF). Your sorrowful departure, therefore, is not only a colossal loss to Akwa Ibom people, the Niger Delta region, and the country at large, where you dutifully and patriotically served for decades but has also left a vacuum that shall never be filled by any imagination.
It is therefore on the premise of the good life you lived and the great feats you accomplished for the State and wider humanity that we can take solace that the Almighty Jehovah will grant you eternal rest until we meet again never to part.
Your illustrious name and great deeds are cast in gold and on our minds. Adieu, the Conqueror and elder statesman with a difference!
