Saturday l5th December, 2012 was a sad one and would remain memorable in the life of many Nigerians, especially the people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States respectively. The Naval Chopper air crash on Saturday 15th December, by 3.30pm after the funeral service of a Bayelsa’s former commissioner of information’s father, Barr Oronto Douglas has caused great lamentation in Nigeria. David lamented heavily on the death of Saul. And he said in 2 Samuel 1:19-21 the beauty of Israel is slain upon the high places: how are the might fallen! Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings for mere the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. Again, how are the mighty fallen.
The immediate past security Adviser to president, Goodluck Jonathan, General Andrew Azazi died in the chopper crash. The former security Adviser was a fine illustrious son of Niger Delta whose service to the region is still needed. General Andrew Owuyei Azazi met his untimely death while departing from Okoroma in Bayelsa State in company of five persons on board the Navy chopper that brought them to the venue of the burial. Azazi a Bayelsa born senior military officer was the first Niger Delta person to serve in the revered and coveted position as security Adviser to Mr. President. It is hard to believe that he is no more on planet earth as the chopper air crash on Saturday has caused his death.
As if it was not enough, the first Christian governor to have ever ruled Kaduna State was also exterminated. Mr. Patrick Yakowa succeeded the present Vice president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi Sambo. Yakowa’s administration has faced series of bombing attacks by Boko Haram sect in Kaduna State. It is obvious that Christians would not be given opportunity again to rule. The death of the governor is a great blow to Christian community in Kaduna State. The six persons on board were all declared dead after the crash in a swamp. Their bodies have been deposited in mortuary awaiting burial.
The year 2012 has been a year that some families would not forget as a result of air crash. Each time air crash occurs, panel of investigation is hurriedly set up to ascertain the root cause of the crash. But one unfortunate thing is that the public is kept in a state incommunicado after the panel must have been concluded the investigation for the government. So many panels have been set up without head way in solving air disaster in the country. Again, there is swift reaction by the federal government to set up another panel of investigation to investigate the chopper crash in Bayelsa State. It is believed that panel is set up to know the cause of problem and to proffer solution to that problem.
Nigeria as a country in the world has a good air space for aero planes to fly. Nigeria has few air ports compare to her huge population density. Country like the United States of America has so many private jets and air crash is rarely heard in that country. Black box which records information about an air craft during its flight, and which is used to discover the cause of an accident is always on board. The situation is becoming unbearable and worrisome to air passengers as the black box report is kept secret. It is difficult to accept report of air accident considering the level of preparation before an aero plane takes off from airport. Few years ago there was helicopter crash in Omagwa area of Rivers state killing all the officers on board. Last year there was police helicopter crash in Plateau State killing all the officers on board including one of the best and finest police officers, John Haruna. Just few months ago, the governor of Nasarawa State was lucky enough to have escaped death and total air crash. Though wounded in the air crash but death was not around to swallow him and few crew men on board. It is incredible the way air crash occurs in Nigeria.
Nigerians are mourning the death of Gen. Azazi and Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State. Aviation sector should not be played with as it is seen on land and water transportation. Aero planes and helicopters not worthy of flying should be kept out of operation no matter the agency or government operating them. There is no need for hanky panky in air transport. Just few months ago, Nigerians were thrown into mournful mood; when DANA air line crashed at the Suburb of Lagos killing all the passengers and crew members. It is high time, Nigerians begin to know the life span of air crafts operating in the country air space, to avoid
unnecessary causalities and in the same vein know the air worthiness of aircraft. Nigerians are dying on the road and on water. And now the air transport that is presumed to be the safest has become a nightmare. Probe report about air crash should not be on paper alone rather it should be implemented in order to create confidence when panel is set to investigate such incident. Nigerians need safety in their air space. ###
Frank Eneawaji Ogwuonuonu
08028901682
