Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, has commiserated with Distinguished Senator Emeh Ufot Ekaette and her family members on the demise of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), late Chief Ufot Joseph Ekaette, who died at the age of 80.
Rt. Hon. Bassey, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Darlington Udobong, said “his demise has created a big vacuum in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. He will ever be remembered for his contribution to humanity, invaluable virtues and the legacies he left behind.”
While describing the late statesman as a torchbearer and a role model, the Speaker said “Indeed, an iroko has fallen. This is an irreparable loss to the entire nation.”
He urged Senator Ekaette and members of the family to be strong, saying “for God alone will give you the fortitude, courage and comfort to bridge the vacuum that his exit has created.”
Meanwhile, all is set to honour the late hero, former Deputy Governor, retired Federal Permanent Secretary and pioneer Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs.
A release from the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, hinted that the body of the late statesman will be received tomorrow at the Victor Attah International Airport, from where a Valedictory Exco Session will be held in his honour at the EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
The release further said the remains of late Ufot Ekaette will be interred in his family compound, Ikot Edor, in ONNA Local Government Area, on Saturday, December 14, 2019.