The minister said this at a special Federal Executive Council meeting in honour of those who died during the crash.
According to Maku: “When we arrived, the late Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa and Gen. Andrew Azazi were already seated. The two of them were full of life, we greeted, we embraced and later we went for the funeral. unknown to us, it was to be the last moment we would have with these two distinguished sons of Nigeria.
“Council members would recall that General Azazi served in this chambers with us when he was National Security Adviser. He also rose in the distinguished career of this nation to the rank of a full Four Star General. He gallantly served as the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, then he was invited by Mr. President to help this nation overcome one of the most serious security challenges since the end of the civil war in 1970.
“He served his nation with distinction, he served to the best of his ability, he was able to manage the situation he found himself in until the time came for him to have relief and be replaced by another Nigerian to continue with the efforts by Mr. President to give this nation peace.
“Governor Patrick Yakowa served and had a distinguished career in the Civil Service and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service of the Federation.
“All the time he was Deputy Governor in Kaduna State, he showed courage, humility, patience and was a man of peace and even as Governor, he was such a good man.
“When we met in Bayelsa, it was a twist of fate that we did not board the same day because on that day, the Special Adviser to the Vice President, Sani Umar and myself and Timi Alaibe, were supposed to travel together with the two of them back to Port Harcourt. Somehow, just before we could take off from the funeral arena, Sani backed out and decided to travel alone, I stood up and was going with them but by some involuntary action, I returned to my seat, I said I would wait for a moment, that was simply the twist of fate that kept us alive.
We must give glory to God. I tell his story because nobody goes before his time, we must give God the glory for what has happened. Their destiny was that day and that is what God has done.
“We commit the souls of the gentlemen who died in the ill-fated crash to Almighty God and he will grant the country mercy,” he said. [Source:DailyPost]
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