Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Saturday, joined his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, to pay last respect to former National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (Rtd).

Nkanga, who was the first indigenous Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, died on December 1, 2020.

Speaking during the funeral in his hometown, Ikot Nya, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state, Diri said the South-south lost a rare gem as Nkanga was not just a son of Akwa Ibom but a voice in the whole region.

The governor, who recounted his last encounter with the retired military officer just before his demise, said his departure was indeed painful.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a press release, quoted the governor as having eulogised the late Nkanga, whom he said was an activist and intellectual powerhouse.

Diri, on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, commiserated with the Nkanga family, Governor Udom Emmanuel, the people of Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta region.

In his tribute, Governor Udom Emmanuel said it was a difficult moment for him to mourn a man he described as his close confidant.

The Akwa Ibom governor said the late Nkanga was in every sense of the word a colossus.

He said it was fitting to immortalise him by renaming a major road in the state capital after him.

Also in attendance at the burial were representatives of PANDEF, led by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw and delegations from the Middle Belt Forum, Afenifere among other prominent individuals and groups.