By Blessing Enagu
MOI Officer reporting from Forestry Commission.
On Friday, 25 September, the premises of the Cross River State Forestry Commission was grief-striken as staff, family members, friends, well wishers and sympathizers gathered in respect to late Chief Ranger Emmanuel Asuquo Okon, who was brutally Killed on March 6, 2020, in the line of duty.
Speaking at the deceased lying-in-state in the office premises, the Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry, Ntufam Donatus Etim, who described the event as an “inauspicious moment” for the Ministry, Commission, the deceased family and the State at large, expressed sadness and pain, but implored all to cling to the biblical injunction in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, which says: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”
Ntufam Etim called on everyone to reflect on their lives and be always prepared for the day when life comes to an end, as death is an inevitable phenomenon of life and a journey for all mortals.
Continuing, the Commissioner said: “We are thankful for the life Mr. Emmanuel Okon lived. It is even more devastating that he died on one of the assignments by the Office to put in place some corrective measures. It shows that he was a very dutiful and committed staff. And that is what should strengthen all of us. It’s a thing of pride to have people talk good of our departed brother even at an era when compromise of standards is the order of the day.”
He called on the family to wipe their tears and look up to God, who is the great Comforter, even as he prayed for the repose of Mr. Emmanuel Okon.
Receiving the body of his departed Staff, the Chairman, Cross River State Forestry Commission, High Chief Anthony Undiandeye branded the deceased as a “devoted and delightful staff of the Commission, who had earned global recognition through his work ethics.
The Chairman stated that dying in active service, like Emmanuel did, is the greatest service anyone can give to their state/nation.
He however expressed hope that Emmanuel’s situation will provide an opportunity for upgrade of safety measures of Forestry Officers and rangers.
“We are aware of the enormous responsibility and the dangers inherent in your job as forest officers and rangers. Emmanuel has become a hero of forestry. I therefore urge all not to mourn, but give glory to God, as implored in the scriptures in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I pray God for the fortitude and grace as the family deals with the pain of this great loss", Chief Undiandeye concluded.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Timothy Ogbang Akwaji, thanked the Management and Staff, especially the Commissioner, Ntufam Donatus Etim and Chairman of the Commission, Chief Anthony Udiandeye, for their solidarity throughout the difficult period.
Mr. Akwaji described late Emmanuel as a “pathfinder of some sort,” whose diligence and commitment to work endeared him to everyone, adding that “your impact and service to society are what you would be remembered for after all.”
He asked for an end to further questions surrounding Emmanuel’s death, as vengeance is of God alone, while praying for eternal rest for the departed staff.
In a related development, the Head of the deceased family, Reverend Christopher Effiom, during the Commission’s condolence visit to the family, expressed gratitude to the Commission for the enormous support to the family throughout the period of difficulty, saying it was “beyond expectations.”
Rev. Effiom also noted that the high level of commitment exhibited by the Commission gave the family reason to believe that their son was loved by his colleagues.
Late Emmanuel Okon, until his demise, was the chief Ranger, Oban Charge of the Forestry Commission. He died on March 6, 2020, on official assignment, after being knocked down along Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Bypass.
The lying-in-state climaxed in a valedictory parade by the Uniform field Staff after which the body was laid to rest in his hometown, Esuk Mba, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Also present to honouur the deceased were the Special Adviser, Climate Change, Professor Augustine Ogogo, Senior Special Assistant, Climate Change, Hon. Patrick Egame, and the Special Assistant, Biodiversity, Rt. Hon. Patrick Owan.
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