By Adesina Soyooye
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has confirmed that former Military Governor of the State, Air Commodore (rtd), died of COVID-19.
Declaring a seven day mourning period for the first indigenous Military Administrator of the State, Emmanuel said Nkanga died at an Isolation Centre where he was being treated, on December 24, 2020.
In a statement signed on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, on Saturday, the seven-day mourning would start from Saturday, 26th December, 2020. Flags would fly at half-mast for the mourning period.
The statement noted that requisite protective protocol and contact tracing have been activated.
The statement reads in part,
“The Government of Akwa Ibom State hereby formally announces the death of a former Military Governor of our state, Air Commodre Idongesit Nkanga, who died at night on 24th December,2020.
“The information from the isolation center where he was admitted and managed indicates that the first indigenous Military Governor of our state and leader of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) died from complications resulting from COVID-19 infection.
“Requisite protective protocol and contact tracing have been immediately activated.
“Otuekong Nkanga was the Director-General of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Divine Mandate Campaign organization 2015 & 2019. He was also the Chairman of the Ibom Airport Development company and Ibom Air.
“The Governor, HE Udom Emmanuel, is greatly saddened by the news of his passing and condoles with the bereaved family.
“Consequently, the Governor has declared a seven-day period of mourning effective Saturday, 26th December 2020. Flags are to be flown at half-mast for the entire duration of the mourning in the state.”
