FINBARR FACTS ON AKWA IBOM AT 30 #17

FINBARR FACTS ON AKWA IBOM AT 30 #17

Did you know Nsikak Eduok was the first person IBB initially appointed Governor of Akwa Ibom State, eight days before it was created?


Did you know that on the 27th of August, 1993, Elder Air Marshal Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok was appointed the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) but one week after, the decision was overturned?

Did you know Eduok is one of the very first indigenes of Akwa Ibom State to join the Nigerian Air Force?

Did you know when Eduok told his parents he wanted to join the air force, they bluntly refused?

Did you know Eduok used his very close relationship with IBB to ensure Akwa Ibom State was created?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok was the first person IBB appointed Governor of Akwa Ibom State, eight days before it was created?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok in preparation to become the first military Governor of Akwa Ibom State had handed over to a new director at staff College Jaji and was briefed of his new office by General Y.Y Kure?

Did you know some days later, the then Chief of Air Staff, begged the then Head of State, Gen Babangida not to appoint Eduok a military Governor because of his specialty as a fighter pilot?

Did you know Nsikak started his career as Studio Manager at the Voice of Nigeria?

Did you know Nsikak’s father, Essien Eduok, who died in 2012, was a very senior elder of the Qua Iboe Church (now United Evangelical Church)?

On the 1st August, 1968, Eduok joined the Nigerian Air Force as a trainee pilot?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok attended the Primary Flying Training School, Kano in 1970 and the Basic Flying Training Course in 1971 at the Basic and Advanced Flying School, also in Kano and in the two courses, Eduok finished as the best all-round student pilot?

Did you know in February 1971, Nsikak Eduok was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant?

After that, Nsikak Eduok attended various professional and staff courses in Nigeria and abroad.

Did you know Nsikak Eduok is a trained combat pilot, and was a pilot in various aircraft types within and outside Nigeria, these include the L-29, L-39, MiG 15, MiG 17, MiG 21 and the MB-339?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), served in the following roles:

– Appointed the first Operations Officer, Strike Group, Makurdi, Benue State, 1975 – 1976

– Commanding Officer, NAF Station, Enugu.

– Appointed first Commander, 75 Fighter Squadron

– Commander, 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna

– Commander, 303 Flying Training School, Kano

– Commander, NAF Station, Makurdi, Benue State

– Commander, NAF Station, Kainji, Niger State

– Directing Staff, Command and Staff College, Jaji, 1986 – 1987

– Director of Plans, NAF Headquarters, 1989

– Director of Operations, NAF Headquarters, 1990 (he was a Group Captain then)

– Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Training Command, 1991

– Member, Armed Forces Ruling Council, AFRC, (during Babangida’s regime), 1991

Did you know on the 20th March, 1995, Eduok was appointed a Member, Federal Executive Council as the Honourable Minister for Aviation (appointed as Air Commodore), the position that he held until the 30th of March 1996 when he was reappointed the Chief of Air Staff by the Abacha government?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok Avenue in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State is named in his honour? The six-lane avenue was built during the Attah administration.

Did you know as the Chief of Army Staff, Eduok influenced the location of the Air Force Comprehensive School, Okop Ndua Erong, Ibesikpo/Asutan Council Area of Akwa Ibom State?

Did you know the school is simply called Air Force Comprehensive School, Uyo, but in reality, it actually lies about 15 kilometers to the north of Uyo?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok is the proprietor of Ultrafit and he is also the owner of one of the largest palm produce farms in Nigeria?

Did you know Eduok is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, United Evangelical Church (formerly Qua Iboe Church)?

Did you know Eduok is also the 3rd Grand Patron of the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI), a socio-cultural organization of Ibibios?

Did you know Eduok married the late Deaconess Nkese Nsikak Eduok. During her husband’s tenure as the CAS, she was the President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives’ Association (NAFOWA)?

She died in 2012. Their marriage produced seven children.

Did you know Nsikak Eduok holds a honorary doctorate degree of Humanities from the Cornerstone University & Seminary, Israel?

Did you know Eduok is a recipient of the National, Defence, Independence and Republic Medals?

Did you know Eduok was also garlanded by the Nigerian Air Force with the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and the Meritorious Service Star (MSS) medals?

Did you know Nsikak Eduok was born on the 11th of July 1947 at Mbak, Ibesikpo/Asutan Ekpe Local Government?

Did you know Eduok is an old boy of Lutheran High School, Obot Idim?

Did you know Eduok retired in 1999 to Uyo where he has been engaged in farming, charity, business and religious activities?

For his uncommon role in our state creation and impacts on our fatherland, we says congratulations Sir.

#Dakkada #OrangeSeptember