Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his Cross River State counterpart, Prof Ben Ayade have condoled with the Kefas family and Taraba State Government over the passing away of former Military Administrator, Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retd).
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Kefas, who hails from Wukari in Taraba died at the age of 73 on Friday in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Saturday in Asaba, Okowa also commiserated with Wukari community over the sad incident.
He said that the late Kefas was a renowned soldier, administrator and politician, who was Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba after retirement from the military.
He noted that the deceased distinguished himself as Military Administrator of Cross River and Delta States between 1993 and 1996.
According to the Governor, as military administrator, the departed Kefas contributed immensely to the development of the states he served.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with the Kefas family, the people of Wukari and the Taraba State Government on the passing away of Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retd).
“The late Kefas was an accomplished soldier, administrator and statesman, who will be remembered for epitomising service and patriotism in Nigeria’s development while in service.
“He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, particularly those whose lives he affected,” Okowa said.
He prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and associates to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayade of Cross River State expressed shock and sadness over the death of Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retired), a former Military Administrator of the state.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, Ayade described the late Kefas as a diligent soldier and a sound administrator, who played a key role in the development of the state during his tour of duty to the state between 1993-1994.
“I received with sadness the news of the demise of the ex-MILAD, Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas (retired). He was a fine gentleman who proved his mettle as an astute administrator during his tour of duty in our state as Military Administrator,” the statement quoted Ayade.
The governor rued that by the former Military Administrator’s transition, “death has robbed Cross of a dear friend, a statesman and a partner in the socio-economic and infrastructural development of our state.
“While we join his family, the people of Wukari, the government and people of Taraba state and the Nigerian military to mourn his passing, we are consoled that he left behind legacies that would keep his memory alive.
“For in the words of Ann Lnn, “when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.’”
Ayade prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He assured the family that his thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve.