Bayelsa State governor Hon. Seriake Dickson has been hailed for giving Late General Andrew Owoye Azazi a hero’s burial.
First daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Akpo-olade Madeline Okoro, made the commendation while paying tribute to her late father at the service of songs in honour of General Azazi in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
Describing her father as a courageous, selfless, intelligent and caring man who impacted positively on so many lives during his lifetime, Mrs. Okoro particularly lauded President Goodluck Jonathan and all those who stood by the family in their moment of grief.
She said General Azazi was a man who could stand before his contemporaries and speak the truth regardless of the consequences.
According to Mrs. Okoro, she received the news of her father’s death while overseas and expressed optimism that the legacies of her father left behind will inspire them to greater heights.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), said the demise of General Azazi was an overwhelming loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Making reference to the ill-fated helicopter crash, he prayed against the recurrence of such a tragic incident in the state.
Former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, eulogized General Azazi, as a man who lived a life of service to humanity, noting that his demise is an indication that all mortals are on a journey on earth, which will come to an end one day.
Describing the deceased as a treasured friend, Chief Alamieyeseigha recalled when he first met the late Four-Star General in 1973 at the Nigerian Defence Academy and how their meeting made him (Alamieyeseigha) a better cadet at Academy.
Also paying glowing tributes, General Bob Ake, the only surviving General of the three from Peretorugbene community, said the former National Security Adviser was an Icon and a source of pride not only to the Ijaw Nation and Nigeria but to the entire sub region of Africa.
Speaking, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kaduna State, Elder Abokie Galadima, described the death of former Governor Patrick Yakowa and Azazi as an act of God.
He said that the testimonies about both personalities were a pointer to the fact that they lived worthy lifestyles, stressing the need to sustain the channels of communication between the two states established by the duo.
In his homily, Very Reverend Father, Joseph Opelema, emphasized the need for mankind to exhibit kindness at all times as death can come calling anytime.
He enjoined the family and people of the state to take solace in the fact that Azazi lived a fulfilled life and left behind worthy legacies.
Dignitaries at the service include, President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Dame Patience, Governor Seriake Dickson and wife, Rachael, Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Rivers and Delta states, National Assembly members and other top government officials.
