Gov Otu Mourns Professor Ewa, Says he was an Authority on Military Politics

…Condoles commissioner, family

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has expressed deep sadness and sorrows over the passing of Professor Ibiang Oden Ewa, a university lecturer and community leader, whom he described as a close family and ‘an authority,’ on military politics.

The late university don, who was the father of the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Oden Ewa, died in the early hours of last Sunday after a brief illness.
Ewa was a distinguished elder statesman from Yakurr Local Government Area of the state and was widely respected for his contributions to academia and public service.

Otu, who visited the family to condole with them, described the death as a significant loss not only to the family but to the entire state. He disclosed how close he was to the family and his personal relationship with the late don, which prompted his swift reaction and condolence to the family immediately his death was brought to his attention.

“I have always been a big fan of Prof. I read all his books on military politics; he was an authority,” Otu said, adding:“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.”

The governor, who was received by the wife of the deceased, Mrs Patricia Ewa, and other members of the family, including the Commissioner for Special Duties, Oden Ewa, charged the family to take solace in the good life that Ewa lived and be guided by his abiding legacy.

Responding, Ewa expressed deep appreciation to the governor for the visit, especially on such short notice, saying: “I’m 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.”