Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu, on Monday in Calabar, said the death of Ibiang Oden Ewa, a university Professor and father of the Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duties, will be a very difficult vacuum to fill.
Otu, on a condolence visit to the family of the late Professor who died in the early hours of Sunday after a brief illness, said the death was a significant loss not only to the family but to the entire state. He noted his personal closeness to the family, which prompted his swift presence despite the short notice.
“This is a very difficult vacuum to fill. He lived an exemplary life, for the people of Yakurr, for the state, and for our dear country. We will do our best to continue where he stopped. I have not yet come to terms with the reality of his passing. I have always been a big fan of Prof. I read all his books on military politics; he was an authority,” the governor remarked.
Oden Ewa, accompanied by his mother, Patricia, and other family members, expressed deep appreciation on the governor’s condolence visit, especially on such a short notice. “I am grateful for the presence of the state government, led by my principal and governor. Our father lived a good life, and with the wealth of experience he imparted to us, we will do our best to uphold his legacy,” he said. Prayers were later said for the bereaved family.
The late Ewa, a distinguished elder statesman from Yakurr Local Government Area, was widely respected for his contributions to academia and public service.
