Ondo plane crash: Otti, Kalu mourn Abia-born Air Force officer

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Senator representing Abia North District at the upper legislative chamber, Orji Uzor Kalu, have expressed sadness over the death of Abia-born Squadron Leader Ahamefule Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.

Governor Otti, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, described Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje’s death and those of other military personnel aboard the Nigerian Air Force plane as painful and devastating.

“This accident is both painful and devastating because it has brought untold sorrow and anguish to the victims’ families, their friends and loved ones, the Nigerian Air Force, and the nation at large.”

Governor Otti regretted that Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje perished in the air disaster just about two weeks after he wedded his beloved wife, Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle, in Abuja, a sad development he said has robbed the couple of the opportunity of spending their lives together as husband and wife.

The governor on behalf of his family, the Government and people of Abia State, commiserates with the families of the victims, the people of Umuahia where Squadron Leader Man-Ugwueje hailed from, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and prays for the peaceful repose of their souls in God’s bosom.

In his own message, Senator Kalu commiserates with the Nigerian Air Force over the loss of its personnel and others in the Ondo plane crash. The former governor of Abia State, while expressing sadness over the loss, extended his heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the entire Nigerian Air Force, and the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

Describing the incident as painful and heartbreaking, Kalu said the death of personnel who devoted themselves to the service of the country was a huge loss to the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

“I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and the entire Nigerian Air Force over this painful loss.

“My thoughts and prayers are especially with the families who have lost their loved ones. Losing men and women who dedicated themselves to serving and protecting our country is, indeed, a tragedy for all Nigerians.

“At this difficult moment, I pray that God comforts their families, colleagues, and loved ones, and gives them the strength to bear this irreparable loss. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Kalu prayed.

He urged the Nigerian Air Force to remain strong in the face of the tragedy, noting that the sacrifices of its personnel in the service of the country would always be remembered.

The post Ondo plane crash: Otti, Kalu mourn Abia-born Air Force officer appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.