Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden demise of its National Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) on the eve of Christmas, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, it said the entire leadership and membership of PANDEF are saddened by the death of our National Chairman. He was a selfless, humane, broad-minded, trusted leader, esteemed compatriot and statesman. We grieve his passing, it is devastating; words are not enough to express the pain and grief we feel.
It added that Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga was a great leader, he was unwaveringly committed and dedicated to the founding ideals and objectives of PANDEF; to foster unity, peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
With a combination of his strict military background, political and administrative sagacity, and working in tandem with our National Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark and other critical stakeholders of the region, Nkanga was able to seamlessly elevate the standing of PANDEF to enviable summit within a short period as pioneer National Chairman.
We recall, sadly, his last three official engagements as PANDEF National Chairman; his meeting with Governors of the South-South Geopolitical Zone on Monday, 16th November, 2020 in Port Harcourt where he presented to the Governors PANDEF’s position on three issues of critical concern to the Niger Delta region and the country viz; Regional Cooperation, Regional Security Architecture, and Restructuring of the country, for their consideration and necessary action. Before the meeting of leaders and elders of the zone with the federal government delegation, which was led by Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The last engagement was the Public Hearing on the Bill for the South South Development Commission by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice at the National Assembly, Abuja, where he made a submission on behalf of PANDEF.
Air Commodore Nkanga Rtd, a former Commander of the Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, had a distinguished career in the Nigeria Air force; a graduate of the Nigeria Defence Academy, he also trained at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma, USA; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, USA and Air University, Montgomery, as well University of Ibadan, Nigeria and the Command and College Jaji, Nigeria, where he later became a Flight Instructor.
He was military Governor of Akwa Ibom State from September 1990 to January 1992, during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He was also a member of the National Constitutional Conference of 2014, which made far reaching recommendations for the political, social and economic wellbeing of the county. And until his death, he was the Chairman of Ibom Airport Development Company and Ibom Air.
Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga was a recipient of the Presidential National Honour, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) as well as the Service Awards of Passed Staff College (PSC) and Forces Service Star (FSS).
His passing is a great loss to PANDEF, Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta region, we will greatly miss his invaluable leadership. PANDEF commends the Government of Akwa Ibom State for declaring a seven-day mourning period in honour of our departed National Chairman. The National Leadership urges all PANDEF members and sympathizers to observe the period of mourning as declared by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.
Our prayers and heartfelt commiserations go to his family, the people and government of Akwa Ibom State, his home state, which he also served meritoriously in various capacities. We share in the grieve of this irreparable loss.
May his noble soul rest in peace!
