Azazi’s burial: Jonathan, Dickson, Archbishop trade words

By Igoniko Oduma Correspondent, Yenagoa

The remains of former National Security Adviser, late Andrew Azazi, who died in a helicopter crash, were buried on Saturday at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park, along Sani Abacha Expressway, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.

Among dignitaries at the commendation service included wife of the President; Patience Jonathan; Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; members of the National Assembly; service chiefs; former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Alamieyeseigha; former governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke; and his wife, Onari; among others.

Although it was supposed to be a solemn funeral service for the departed soul, Bishop of Bomadi Catholic Vicariate, Archbishop Hyacinth Ogbebor, exercised his apostolic liberty and expressed his profound disappointment over poor governance and deplorable condition of infrastructure in Bayelsa State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Ogbebor took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Government for their inability to fix the dilapidated East-West Road.

He also bemoaned the developmental retrogression in Bayelsa, describing the situation as worrisome.

He condemned the conduct of public officers whom, he noted, are deliberately impoverishing Nigerians through acts of corruption and lip-service to issues of development and campaign against corrupt practices in the country.

Ogbebor, who was delivering a homily at the funeral service for the former Chief of Defence Staff, pointedly told the audience which included President Goodluck Jonathan to put the East-West Road in good shape and save hapless Nigerians from their untimely deaths resulting from pothole-ridden roads crisis-crossing the country.

He said, “Mr. President, repair the East-West Road. Tankers fall on that road every day. Spare the lives of Nigerians. Work the road. The potholes should be covered. I almost got killed on the East-West Road because I shuttle between Bomadi (in Delta State) and Bayelsa.”

He also admonished Dickson to translate his words on development into action because, according to him, the people of Bayelsa would not fly in the sky to get to their houses.

Describing Azazi's death as tragic and devastating, the clergyman said the frequent occurrence of air mishaps in Nigeria was frightening and unbecoming.

“His death is tragic. It is a devastating blow to Bayelsa and Nigeria, more than the flood disaster.”

Ogbebor, who is also a member of the state's post-flood management committee headed by Azazi, noted that if the military is unable to protect its own, it will be difficult to believe that it can protect citizens.

He lamented that, before now there was dedication and professionalism in service. “But now, compromise and money have taken over,” he stated.

Ogbebor, however, said he was aware Jonathan was trying his best in the task of nation building and that the Church was praying for him and his administration to succeed.

President Jonathan, while paying tribute to Azazi, reminded Archbishop Ogbebor that lack of attitudinal change was responsible for most of the problems plaguing the nation.

Jonathan said the emphasis on corruption most of the time was also misplaced as some of the cases that are brought under the purview of corruption do not belong there, stressing that until Nigerians behave rightly and properly, the country cannot move forward the way it should move.

He remarked that if 50 percent of Nigerians behave uprightly like Azazi, then the country would experience a change.

Jonathan said: “If all of us or if only 50 percent of Nigerians, and I mean it, if 50 percent of Nigerians that have privileges to certain offices or by virtue of their own struggle, have gotten to some level in society like General Azazi, this country will change.

“If we do things properly, if we change our attitudes as Nigerians, most of these issues we are blaming on corruption, we will know that it is not corruption”

On his part, Governor Dickson expressed dismay over Archbishop Ogbebor's remark, pointing out that he did not complain about developmental backwardness in Bayelsa in the five years that preceded his administration.

While highlighting some of the contracts that his administration had awarded so far, Dickson cried that Azazi's family, Bayelsa and Nigeria had lost a rare gem and icon, who was not only a father, but a loving husband, grandfather and an accomplished soldier.

During the church service for the late General Azazi, his first daughter, Akpolade, read the first lesson at the funeral service while her younger brother, Pelede, read the second lesson and his first son, Owoye Azazi Jr, gave a tribute of their late father.

Among those who paid glowing tributes to Azazi, besides Jonathan, Dickson and Pelede, were the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen Alexander Ogomudia.

Others were: Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke; and Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum, Chibuike Amaechi.

Amaechi named a street under construction in Elekahia area of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, after Azazi.

Azazi's remains were lowered into a concrete grave at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park at about 2:55pm after a parade by a military guard of honours.