The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, has said he was scheduled to be on the helicopter that crashed on Saturday, killing all its occupants including late Kaduna Governor, Patrick Yakowa; and former National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi.

 

Mr. Maku, who was speaking after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, narrated how he narrowly missed being in the crashed helicopter.

“Saturday, 15th December remains a gloomy day for this country. On that fateful day, a number of us were in Okoroba Kingdom in Bayelsa State to pay our last respects to the departed father of the Special Adviser to the President on Strategy and Documentation, Oronto Douglas, who has been an old friend and have worked in government together.

“When we arrived, the late Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and Gen. Andrew Azazi were already seated. The two of them were full of life. We greeted, we embraced and later we went for the funeral. Unknown to us, it would be the last moment we will have these two distinguished sons of Nigeria,” the minister said.

Mr. Maku said it was a “twist of fate” that he did not board the same flight with the deceased.

“Because on that day, the Special Adviser to the Vice President, Sani Umar, and myself and Timi Alaibe, were supposed to travel together with the two of them back to Port Harcourt. Somehow, just before we could take off from the funeral arena, Sani backed out and decided to travel alone.

“I stood up and was going together with them, but by some involuntary action, I returned to my seat. I said I would wait for a moment. That was simply the twist of fate that kept us alive,” the minister said.

“We must give glory to God for what happened. Their destiny was that day and that is what God has done,” he added.

Other ministers also expressed described their relationship with the victims of the crash.

Ministers express condolence

The Minister of Environment, Hadiza Malafia, said she had met Mr. Yakowa about 19 years ago as her boss in the state civil service, She described him as a unique leader.

“He was humble, and created a good communication between us enough to prevent any evil penetration by civil servants that will cause friction between us. We were a family. He used to take time out to

visit my parents and I used to do the same.

“I pray lessons like this will serve that no condition is permanent and that in humility we find strength. I hope that we will know that one day, some other persons will be seating here,” Mr. Malafia said.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the incident has been very traumatising for the people of Bayelsa, describing Mr. Yakowa as a kind hearted person.

“He was a friend and brother. It has been a very trying period for Bayelsa as a state, Nigeria and his family. A big tree has fallen in Ijaw land and the clay pot that support the state has fallen.

“For Governor Yakowa whom I met as a Minister, he wanted nothing more than to heal the division in his state. It is clear that the only sure thing in life is death. We don’t know the time and manner it will come

but it will come,” she said.

The Minister of Interior Affairs, Abba Moro, who spoke for the North Central said Mr. Yakowa, whom he met three times in the cause of his work, was very supportive and selfless.

“Azazi played a critical role in the fight against sectarian crisis and terrorism. He fought for peace and stability. It is very ironic that the two rising stars from the minorities in Nigeria united in death,” he said.

The Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who said both men were very committed to peaceful coexistence, recalled how late Mr. Azazi assisted in the freeing her mother who was recently kidnapped by gunmen.


The Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, who spoke for the South West said, “Yakowa was my colleague as deputy governor. He entrusted his nephew into my care during his youth corps service in Osun State. He was my friend and brother.

“Azazi was a very good adviser in the course of my job in the ministry. I pray God to stop untimely death in this country,” she added.

The National Planning Minister, Shamsudeen Usman, who spoke for the North West, described both men as “men of peace and humility.”

“The tragedy is made weightier for us because it could have been any one of us. I also pray for their aids that lost their lives and pray God to help them through this trying period,” he said.

The Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, who spoke on behalf of the South South said, “Azazi was a brother and a friend. He has 90 year old mother. It was a sad evening and for two good nights I could not organise myself.”

“He was a friend to all, but decisive officer on issues. He will be remembered for the roles he played in persuading the former militants to work with government. Yakowa will be remembered for the role he played for a transparent election that was held in 2011.

“We are comforted that God is never taken unawares and pray God to give their families the fortitude to bear the loss,” Mr. Orubebe said.

The Minister of State for Health, Mohammed Pate, recalled happy memories of Mr. Yakowa, saying he was “a believer in the peace and unity of this country.”

“Azazi, we became closer after the then UN building bombing. There was a traumatized victim and he brought us myself and the now Minister of Sports in to listen and help out,” he said.
Hear, See, and Say it