Former Chief of Air Staff, Eduok, dies at 74

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the death of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok (retd.), at the age of 74.

He was said to have died on Wednesday evening at the Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State.

Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, said in a statement that he died of end-stage kidney failure.

The statement read in part, “The Government of Akwa Ibom State hereby formally announces the death of a former Chief of Air Staff and former Minister of Aviation, Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok(Rtd). He died yesterday, 6th January, 2021 in Uyo.

“The information from his doctors indicates that he died of end-stage kidney failure.

“The late elder statesman was a very respected Nigerian and Akwa Ibomite who contributed greatly to the development of our country and state.

“The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, is greatly grieved by the news of his death and extends his condolences to the bereaved family.”

Born on July 11, 1947, at Mbak in Akwa Ibom State, the late air force chief enlisted into NAF as a potential pilot on August 1, 1968.

He had his initial military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy after which he went for primary flying training in 1970.

Eduok was appointed as the CAS on August 27, 1993, but the appointment was reversed a week later by the then military government.

He was redeployed as Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command and appointed a member of the Provisional Ruling Council.

He was appointed a member of the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Aviation on March 20, 1995 and was reappointed as the CAS on March 30, 1996.