Late Major General Edet Akpan Was A Great Ambassador Of A’Ibom – Gov Emmanuel
By Edidiong Albert
Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, has extoled late Major General Edet Adam Akpan (Rtd.) OFR, as a great ambassador of the state, who selflessly put his life on the line for higher national cause during his meritorious career with the Nigerian Army.
Governor Emmanuel, who stated this at the funeral service of the one-time director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), at the Qua Iboe Church Primary School grounds, Iwok 1, Nsit Atai, on Saturday, described the deceased among other things as a great Nigerian patriot and a deeply admired community leader.
The governor, who was represented by the secretary to state government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, noted that the fallen hero loved our dear state and worked towards enhancing and deepening our bonds of unity and brotherhood.
He said, “On behalf of the government and the good people of Akwa Ibom State, I send you our deepest and most profound condolence on the sad demise of a great Nigerian patriot, proud son of our dear state, educationist par excellence, frontline military tactician who shaped minds and thoughts and deeply admired community leader, the late Major General Edet Adam Akpan (Rtd.) FITD, FSS, DSS, Mni, OFR, whom we are gathered here to bid farewell.
“The late General Akpan (Rtd.) was a great Ambassador of our dear state, who selflessly put his life on the line for higher national cause during his meritorious career with the Nigerian Army.
“He was a man who believed in the limitless potentials that a good education can bring, and he brought this ennobling ideal to bear throughout his career with the Nigerian Army, which saw him among other critically important service positions he held vis-a-vis director general of the Nigerian Youth Service Corps.
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“The late General was a man of deep christian values and virtues and contributed immensely to the growth of Qua Iboe Church, where he, for many years was a highly admired elder of the church. Above all, he loved our dear state and worked towards enhancing and deepening our bonds of unity and brotherhood.
“As he goes home today to be with the Lord, we salute his service to our dear nation in general and our dear state in particular. May his soul find sweet repose in the bosom of our Creator and those he left behind, the fortitude to bear his loss.”
In his funeral oration, the Chief of Army staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, reiterated that the late General Akpan was a gallant officer, whose contributions were greatly felt throughout his services in the Nigerian Army.
General Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General J. O. Irefin, said the Nigerian Army nay the nation have indeed missed a great compatriot and a retired gallant officer.
In his sermon, the officiating minister, the general superintendent/chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Reverend Ekpedeme Moffat Effanga, urged public servants to live a life of rendering valuable services to the people and to bequeath legacies that will stand as their testimonials.
Rev Effanga lamented the level of corruption in the country, which he noted has robbed the society of the much expected development. He however commended the Nigerian Military for subordinating itself to civil authority without succumbing to the temptation to upstage the political leaders.
Former Governor Victor Attah in his speech, praised late Major General Edet Akpan for the many tangible legacies he left behind during his lifetime.
Attah, who governed Akwa Ibom from 1999 to 2007, said he can say authoritatively that late Major-General Akpan was a patriot, someone who loved Akwa Ibom and gave his time to her development.
Related: President Buhari Mourns Late Maj-Gen Edet Akpan (Rtd.) OFR
The funeral service witnessed the presence of senior military officers and a retinue of soldiers. Some of the senior military officers were Major General M. O. Enendu, commandant, Nigerian College of Logistics; Major General B. N Salome, corps commander, Nigeria Corps of Supply; Major General I. O. Ehiorobo – corps commander, Nigeria Electricals and Mechanics; Major General E. V. Onumajuru, director, Peace-keeping Army Headquarters; Major General M. M. Bunza, commander, Nigeria Corps of Education and Brigadier General A. Abdu – rector, Regiment Environmental Science and Brig. Gen. Faruq Mijinyawa, commander, 2 Brigade Nigeria Army, Uyo.
The interment which followed at the family compound, Iwok Obio Aduang, was conducted with full military trappings and led by the general officer commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General J. O. Irefin. Others in attendance were senior military officers with the major generals serving as the pall bearers. Firing party and other associated traditions of the military to accord their departed officer honour were observed.
The military funeral was officiated by Lieutenant (Rev’d) IA Emedoh, JP, 2 Brigade.
