Friends, colleagues and associates of former Cross River State Attorney General, the late Tanko Mathias Ashang, SAN, got together and made cash donations totalling a little above N50 million, as Ashang was buried in Obanliku, Cross River State, this past Saturday, October 27, 2024, www.calitown.com can exclusively reveal.
The donors, 190 in number, utilized a dedicated Whatsapp platform for coordinating and pulling in the funds. Acclaimed legal luminary and Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice, Kanu Godwin Agabi, fired the first shot on the platform with a N2 million donation.
Agabi’s gesture immediately triggered a flurry of donations in thousands and millions. Notably, CRS deputy governor, Peter Odey, and former Minister of State, Power, Goddy JD Agabi, Musa Adede, Fatima Mohammed and David Olugbo- Mobutu, emulated Agabi with a N2 million donation, each. Emmanuel Akomaye, Legor Idagbor, House of Reps member, Peter Akpanke, Chris Agara, the Ogogo dynasty and an anonymous donor, each sent in a million naira.
Jenison Global Services Ltd, sent in a N3 million while Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North in the Senate, made a cash donation of N5 million, just like several eminent persons who made donations as a show of love and commitment to Ashang.
Meanwhile, Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has described the late Ashang as a shining light and an exemplary ambassador.
Otu made this remark at the funeral mass in honour of the Ashang, held at the Mater Redemptoris Parish, Sankwalla, in Obanliku Local Government Area.
Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, praised Ashang’s professional accomplishments, compassionate nature, and the lasting legacy he left behind, further describing him as a legal luminary as well as an exemplary ambassador who tirelessly dedicated and committed himself to the service of the state.
Offering succour and comfort to the Ashang family, the governor encouraged them to find peace in the belief that Ashang is now at rest in the bosom of the Lord.
The well attended mass was presided over by the Catholic bishop of Uyo Diocese, John Ebebe Ayah, who is also from Obanliku, CRS, accompanied by a large contingent of priests and religious from within and outside the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja.
