PROFILE OF AIR COMMODORE (OTUEKONG) Elder IDONGESIT OKON NKANGA (Rtd) FSS, MSS, DSS, Psc (+), FWC, MSC, OFR at 68
“Integrity, Humility and Impeccable Charisma Personified”
“Honesty, Character, Integrity, Faith, Love and Loyalty are the foundation stones for a balanced success” … Zig Ziglar, an American author. Not many can boast of an abundance of all these wholesome virtues, Yet, it could be said with little or no error that Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga is an embodiment of them all. He is one of the best that the Nigerian Airforce has produced since its inception. Indeed there are very few who can boast of the
expertise, exposure and diversity of training which Otuekong especially in the Defence and Aviation Matters.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION
Born into the Christian family of Elder Okon Udo Nkanga and Late Deaconess Tity Okon Nkanga of Ikot Nya in Nsit Ibom LGA, of Akwa
Ibom State on the 27 day of January, 1952, Idongesit was privileged to have a good
religious background where he devoted his life to the service of God and was baptized at the
tender age of fifteen, precisely on the 3 day of December 1967 into the Qua Iboe Church faith The baptism was conducted by the Late
Rev. Pastor John Udofia-a one time Chairman of Conference of Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria.
Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga had his Primary Education at Qua Iboe Mission Primary School, Ikot Nya, Nsit Ibom LGA 1957-1963, Secondary Education at Wilcox Memorial Grammar School, Aba 1964-1967 and later moved to
the prestigious Etinan Institute, Etinan LGA 1968-1969 where he earned his West African School Certificate.
Idongesit started his Military Career in 1970 when he was admitted into The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna and was commissioned into The Nigerian Airforce in 1973 as a 2 Lieutenant. He commenced flight training in PIAGIO -149D aircraft at Nigerian Airforce training Command Kaduna in 197, proceeded to the United States of America to undergo The Defence Language Course at Lackland Airforce Base, San Antonio, Texas, undergraduate pilot training on CESSNA T-41, T-37JET and TALON T-38 SUPERSONIC JET at Vance Airforce Base, Oklahoma.
In a summary report of his performance in the pilot training program, James R. Spurger, Colonel and Commander – Randolph Airforce Base, USA said: “Lieutenant Nkanga is an outstanding Officer and continues to represent his Country in a most favourable manner. He was an excellent student with outstanding abilities as a Pilot who ranked very well with his American counterparts. Nkanga is the best flyer from Nigeria I have had the pleasure to fly with His conduct and motivation are exemplary and should prove to be an asset to his Airforce. He should be given additional responsibilities as soon as possible. It was a genuine pleasure working with him”.
POSTINGS, APPOINTMENTS, COURSES, TRAININGS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
On his return to Nigeria in 1974, Nkanga was posted to The Nigerian Airforce Station, Kano and appointed flying instructor on the
Czechoslovakion built Delphin L-29JET aircraft. Later in the same year, he went to the USSR for pilot conversion training on MIG 21 fighter aircraft and, on return to Nigeria, he continued as an instructor pilot in Kano until 1977
when he left for conversion course on C-130 HERCULES aircraft in USA.
Idongesit Nkanga also flew MIG 15 and 17 aircrafts briefly. On completion of the C-130 conversion course, he was posted to The Nigerian Airforce Transport Group Lagos as a Squadron Pilot, He later converted on The Gulfstream II and Boing 727 Executive Aircraft of the Presidency. Idongesist remained as Captain in these two aircrafts and Wing Staff Officer to operations in the Executive Air Transport Group until June, 1985.
Following his successful completion of the Junior Staff Course in Jaji in 1981, he was selected to attend The Air Command and Staff Course at reputable Air University Maxwell Airforce Base Montgomery USA in 1985 and he finished that course as a distinguished graduate. Nkanga later returned to the Command and Staff College as a Directing Staff in the Air Faculty In 1987, he was selected for exchange duty at The Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, Accra, a position he served until September, 1990, when he was appointed the Military Governor of Akwa Ibonm State. After his assignment as a Military Governor in Akwa Ibom State, Idongesit was on 2 January, 1992 appointed Director of Inspection, Headquarters, Nigerian Airforce and Director Research and Development (R&D) from March to May, 1992. He was the Director of Training, Nigerian Airforce headquarters before his
nomination for the National War College Program in 1993. Idongesit completed the National War College Course quite highly and bagged the symbol “fwc” (Fellow of the War College).
In 1994, he was posted back to the Executive Airlift Group, but this time as the Commander. In 1996, he was appointed the Commander, Presidential Air Fleet and Principal Staff Officer (Aviation Matters) to the Head of State, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
On June 6″, 1999, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces. He holds a Masters degree in Political Science (Strategic Studies) from the University of Ibadan.
“Anybody can steer the ship, but it takes a leader with altruistic tendency to chart the course, knowing fully well that if he is unable to navigate his people through rough waters, and the ship sinks, he will be held liable”… John C Maxwell.
It is on this belief that The Otuekong of Nsit Ibom, the Vice Chairman South-South Peoples Assembly, the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), the National Chairman Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chairman, Board of Directors, Ibom Airport Development Company Ltd., the Asango Iso ldim of Akwa Ibom State, a man with Forces Service Star (FSS),
Mertorious Service Star (MSSI, Distinguished
Service Star (DSS), Passed Staff College Psc (+) and a Fellow of War College (fwc) is saddled with the responsibility of directing the DIVINE MANDATE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION FOR GOV.UDOM EMMANUEL 2019. The task he had been doing without failure.
Idongesit Nkanga is married to his lovely wife
Mosunsola Olufunmilola Idongesit Nkanga (FIPAN) and the marriage blessed with Children.
Today, it has pleased the Almighty #OnlyGod to bless Elder Idongesist Nkanga with a new age of 68 years of continuous service to God and humanity.
We are wishing him sound health, long life and God continuous blessings.
Once again, Happy Birthday Celebration, His Excellency, Otuekong Idongesist Nkanga.
From all of us at Ibomplaza News Media, the street voice of the popular Ibom Plaza Community in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital.
Mr Bassey Samuel Jnr.
CEO/Editor-in-Chief Ibomplaza News Media
Source: A Compendium of QIC Ewet Offot Township Suprentendency.
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