Tears as another Dana plane crash victim is buried

By HENRY UMORU

THE remains of one of the victims of the Dana plane crash and commanding officer of the 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Abak , Akwa Ibom State, Lt. Col. Owoicho Jumbo Ochigbo, were, yesterday, committed to mother earth amidst tears and wailing.

This is just as Senate President David Mark, who lamented the untimely death of  Ochigbo, whom he described as an officer and a gentleman in every sense of it, announced scholarship to university level for the three children of the late officer.

The Senate President also adopted them as his children.

According to Mark:”Lt. Col Jumbo Ochigbo was clearly an officer and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was passionate about development of the Nigerian Army. He was an intelligent young man with a very bright future who conducted himself in an exemplary manner” .

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, the Senate President counselled the bereaved family and the Nigerian Army to to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

Besides  Mark, also present at the  emotion laden burial were his wife, Helen; the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; top military brass led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) , 82 Division, who represented the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika; wives of military officers, community leaders, among others.

In his tribute, the Chief of the Army Staff lamented that the late Ochigbo will be greatly remembered for his gallantry, good sense of purpose and selfless service to our fatherland.

Akwa Ibom State governor, who had earlier paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family in Otukpo, Benue State, described Ochigbo as a very committed officer who would be missed greatly.

In his sermon at the interdenominational service, 82 Division chaplain, Rev. Lt. Col. Gwom Mairiga said as humans, we cannot question the will of God but  examine ourselves and avoid pitfalls.