28th December, 2012.
Today, we gather here to honour a true
hero of the Ijaw Nation. We are here to pay our deepest respect to a
great leader and national icon. For us in Bayesla State, the tragic,
unfortunate and untimely
death of General Andrew Owoye Azazi (CFRC) has created a huge vacuum
that would be very difficult to fill. We have not only lost a kinsman,
big brother, father, grandfather, friend and colleague; the Ijaw Nation
has clearly lost one of its finest and very best! He was a patriot who
gave his all!
That is why, as a government, we did not hesitate
to declare him as a true hero of Ijaw land and one who is deserving of
a heroic burial as his remains will be the first to be interred at
the Heroes Park - an exclusive burial/final resting place
reserved
only for all true legends and heroes of the State. The Heroes Park,
where General Azazi will be buried is a fitting tribute to his person
and bears eloquent testimonies to the proud legacies and ideals that he
was known and
admired for. It will also serve as a constant
reminder of his unblemished and outstanding record of service to the
State and Nation.
To the wonderful family that he left behind,
please be rest assured that our prayers will always be with you and you
can count on our continued support and co- operation.
Truly,
we have lost a visionary leader and statesman and there may be no
greater tribute to General Azazi's illustrious military career than the
fact that he was a first class military officer, who rose through the
ranks as a professional soldier and duly earned his place in the
history of the Nigerian Army as the only decorated four star general who
truly earned his rank. Upon his retirement from the army, he was
appointed the National Security Adviser to the President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, a position which further endeared him to the public
as a thorough-bred intelligence officer with an uncommon insight.
Undoubtedly, he left an indelible mark of service in this regard with a
remarkable performance.
His career in the military was, no
doubt, a feat and clearly he will be remembered as one of the most
distinguished and outstanding officers of the Nigerian Army. And as the
accolades continue to pour in to celebrate his noble stewardship from
different quarters, we are further assured that General Azazi was really
extraordinary, combining an enviable leadership character with a legacy
of service and patriotism.
My family and I send our
profound thoughts and prayers to General Azazi's wife, Alero, his
children and grand children, to all members of his immediate and
extended families and his loved ones.
General Andrew Owoye Azazi, an
officer and a worthy gentleman, has finished his race but certainly his
good deeds will remain in our hearts until we meet to part no more.
May the Almighty God grant our dear general eternal repose. Amen.
(1). To showcase the aggressive developmental strides initiated by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in 365 days. (2). To underscore the fact that the Restoration Administration has entrenched peace and security in the State, and therefore created an enabling environment to attract investments in tourism, agriculture, health, education, physical infrastructure and other sectors capable of catalyzing growth.
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