Akwa Ibom declares 7 days mourning for Nkanga

The Akwa Ibom Government has declared seven days mourning for the former Military Administrator of the State, Air Commodre Idongesit Nkanga.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared seven days mourning for the former Military Administrator of the State, Air Commodre Idongesit Nkanga.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, who confirmed the death of Nkanga, said the deceased died from complications resulting from COVID-19 infection on the night of December 24, 2020.

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In a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Uyo, Ekuwem stated that Governor Udom Emmanuel is saddened by the death of the director general of his campaign organisation, Divine Mandate.

He sympathised with family members of the deceased, saying that flags would be flown at half mast in the state for the period of the mourning.

“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 and 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,” the statement said.