PREAMBLE:
“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness”. Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga is not dead but rather going before us, the road of all mortals”.
BIRTH
Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga was born on Jan. 27th, 1952 into the family of Elder Okon Udo Nkanga and Late Deaconess Tity Okon Udo Nkanga of Ikot Nya village in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He was the first child among Seven Children of a respectable family in the village. His parents were both ordained as Elder and Deaconess respectively in Qua Iboe Church, Ikot Nya, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
EDUCATION
Idongesit Akwa Ibom had his primary education at Qua Iboe Mission Primary School, Ikot Nya, Nsit Ibom L.G.A. 1957-1963. Secondary education at Wilcox Memorial Grammar School, Aba 1964-1967 and later moved to the prestigious Etinan Institute Etinan 1968-1969, Nigerian Defence Academy 1970-1973, Air University, Montgomery, USA 1985, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 2001 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, West African School Certificate, Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), Passed Staff College- PSC(+) and M.Sc. Political Science (Strategic Studies) respectively.
POSTINGS, APPOINTMENTS, COURSES, TRAININGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Idongesit started his Military Career in 1970 when he was admitted into The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna and was commissioned into The Nigerian Airforce in 1973 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He commenced flight training in PIAGIO – 149D aircraft at Nigerian Airforce training Command Kaduan in 1971, proceeded to the United States of America to undergo The Defence Language Course at Lackland Airforce Base, San Antonio, Texas, undergraduate pilot training on CESSNA T-41, T-37JET and TALONT-38 SUPERSONIC JET at Vance Airforce Base, Oklahoma. In a summary report of his performance in the pilot training program, James R. Spurger, Colonel and Commander – Randolph Airforce Base, USA said: “Lieutenant Nkanga is an outstanding Officer and continues to represent his Country in a most favourable manner. He was an excellent student with outstanding abilities as a Pilot who ranked very well with his American Counterparts. Nkanga is the best flyer from Nigeria I have had the pleasure to fly with. His conduct and motivation are exemplary and should prove to be an asset to his Airforce.
SUMMARY OF HIS JOB/COGNATE EXPERIENCE AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Kano – 1974-1976
727 at Executive Airlift Group (EAG) Ikeja, Lagos.- 1978-1999
March-May 1992
(PSO) on Aviation Matters to the Head of State and Commander –in – Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – 1996-1999
Incorporated (JSSI) of America – 2000
– 2002-2003
Airport Development – 2006
Akwa Ibom State – 2006-2007
Akwa Ibom State and Chairman Ibom Airport Development
Company Ltd. – 2006-2009
And Deputy Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign in
Akwa Ibom State – 2015
(Udom Emmanuel Governorship Campaign) – 2015
Limited – 2010
Agency (FERMA) – 2011
(Udom Emmanuel Governorship Re-Election) – 2018
(PANDEF) – March, 2018
THE MAN IDONGESIT AND HIS POLITICAL LEADERSHIP STYLE
Idongesit was an Astute politician and a man who never had any room for failure in everything he did, was a one time secretary general of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and later made up his mind to join the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) being the ruling party in the state. The party he actively supported until his sudden demise.
“Anybody can steer the ship, but it takes a leader with altruistic tendency to chart the course, knowing fully well that if he is unable to navigate his people through rough waters, and the ship sinks, he will be held liable”…John C.
It was on this belief that the Idongesit Akwa Ibom, Otuekong of Nsit Ibom, the Vice Chairman South-South People’s Assembly, the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), the National Chairman Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Board Chairman Ibom International Airport, the Asanga Iso Idim of Akwa Ibom State, a man with Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Passed staff College Psc (+) and a Fellow of War College (fwc) was saddled with the responsibility of directing the GOD’SWILL 2ND TERM GOVERNORSHIP CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION, UDOM EMMANUEL 1ST TERM FOR GOVERNOR AND THE DIVINE MANDATE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION FOR GOV. UDOM EMMANUEL 2ND TERM. The tasks he did without failure.
CHRISTIAN LIFE:
Born into the Christian family, Idongesit was privileged to have a good religious background where he devoted his life to the service of God and was baptized at the tender age of fifteen precisely on the 3rd day of December, 1967 into the Qua Iboe Church faith. The baptism was conducted by the Late Rev. Pastor John Udofia – a one time chairman of conference of Qua Iboe Church.
On Sunday 4th November, 2018, he was ordained an Elder of Qua Iboe Church founded 1887.
SOCIAL LIFE: “Integrity Humility and impeccable Charisma personified, is gone”. Idongesit was a quiet and peace loving gentleman who did everything within his reach to pursue peace with everyone he came across. Though this special attribute got him several acquaintances and friends, Air commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) was always very quick to distance himself from people of questionable character.
He lived a simple, humble and honest life worthy of emulation. Idongesit Akwa Ibom never hurt nor picked quarrel with anybody. He treated everybody who came in contact with him with love, compassion and respect.
He was always transparent in his dealings. Idongesit was homely and an embodiment of care and love.
MARITAL LIFE:
Elder (Otuekong) Idongesit Nkanga was married to Deaconess (Mrs.) Mosunsola Olufunmilola Idongesit-Nkanga. The marriage was blessed with children.
HOME GOING:
Elder Air Commodore (Otuekong) Idongesit Nkanga was a man full of strength, health and courage to move on with life. He was always optimistics and positive about life. After accomplishing his mission on earth, he was called to be with the Lord on the 24th day of December, 2020. Indeed we sorrow not as we recall that our son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, advocate, confidant, a great teacher, has gone home to rest after his earthly sojourn. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen.
Idongesit Akwa Ibom is survived by:
Wife, Children, Brothers, sisters, In-laws, Grandchildren, Cousins, Nephews, Nieces an aged father, and other relations too numerous to mention.