Idongesit Nkanga was a wonder working governor, says Etiebet

Joseph Atainyang

Elder statesman, Atuekong Don Etiebet has eulogized the qualities of late Air Commodore (Otuekong) Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.), saying he was a miracle worker while serving as a military administrator of Akwa Ibom State.

Don Etiebet said the Late Idongesit Nkanga was well assessed with his numerous indelible imprints in the sands of time, especially as the first indigenous governor of the state.

Etiebet, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, made the assertion in a condolence message sent to Nkanga’s widow, Deaconess (Mrs.) Mosunsola Idongesit-Nkanga, on Monday.

He said Nkanga’a family, state and country have lost a father, versatile intellectual and leader.

Enumerating the countless feats achieved by the deceased, Etiebet noted that Nkanga who led the state between 1990 and 1992, “performed wonders in the two years he was the Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State and he is still referenced highly in that regard till today.”

“He performed miracles in his governance by starting and completing the Akwa Ibom State Secretariat as it is today during his only two years in the state as a Military Governor.

“People tend to forget but I don’t because we worked together to get the Federal Military Government headed by General Gbadamosi Babangida to change the Cross River University Campus at Uyo to the University of Uyo, during the General’s visit to the State”, he explained.

The Caucus Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State maintained that despite Nkanga’s unassuming nature, he rose to great heights in the military, aviation industry, politics and business.

He described the departure as personal loss. “Nkanga was a personal friend to me, a family friend to our family, a confidant and dependable political ally in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria in general”, he avared.

Atuekong Etiebet urged the immediate family of the deceased to be comforted because he lived a fulfilled and impact-oriented life. He prayed for the repose of the deceased soul.

The Retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga passed away on December 24, 2020, at the age of 68.

He was Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) on Aviation to the Head of State during the Ibrahim Babangida regime.

He held other positions including, Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF); Chairman, Ibom Airport Development Company and Ibom Air, Director General, Governor Godswill Akpabio reelection campaign organization 2011; and Chairman, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Divine Mandate Campaign organisation 2015 and 2019.

His remains shall be interred at Ikot Nya village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on February 6, 2021.