Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson’s gestures to the widows of two Nigeria Air Force (NAF) pilots who were indigenes of the state cannot undo what has been done; that is, it cannot bring back the officers who died in active service, it will however go a long way in ameliorating the plight of their widows. The governor had, through a press statement signed by Fidelis Soriwei, his media aide, announced the state government’s offer of automatic employment to Diepreye Inokoba Jacob whose husband, Flight Lieutenant Pereowei Jacob, died in a helicopter crash at Damasak, on January 2, 2019, and the widow of Flt Lt Ebitimi Owei, who died in an earlier helicopter crash in October, 2015.
Governor Dickson told Diepreye Jacob during a condolence visit that she would start work in the state immediately she completes her national youth service. For Mrs Owei, the good news was prompted by the Commander 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore E. Ebiowei, who called the governor’s attention to the death of Owei in similar circumstances as far back as 2015.
“We are very proud of the services and the sacrifices that our departed young hero (Jacob) made. We hereby announce automatic employment for the wife.
“We hear you are doing your national youth service, you will get your letter of employment as soon as you complete your compulsory service to the nation.
“The Base Commander has told us that another officer, flight Lt Owei also died while fighting in the north east. I hereby announce immediate employment for his widow.
“This is our modest way of encouraging our people in the service of this nation. Our people, from the beginning, have stood for Nigeria. We have been doing that and we are not going to get tired to demand that Nigeria does what is right for us too,” the governor said.
We commend the governor for these kind gestures. There is no doubt that the beneficiaries will also appreciate it for several reasons. One, their husbands’ entitlements may take some time to come, given the bureaucratic nature of the processing. Second, it is common in the military for such widows to be ejected from their official quarters (if they are living in one) as there are others who had been waiting in the wings to pack in. Third, in a country where getting a job is war, that they have something to do without going through the rigours is something to cheer.
The two officers and their colleagues who died in the terror would be sorely missed by their relations, the NAF and Nigeria at large. Perhaps those who would feel it most are their wives, particularly Mrs Jacob, whose husband died barely three weeks after they got married. For her, the news came like lightning, as she learnt of her husband’s death through WhatsApp, shortly before the arrival of his boss to break the sad news to her.
We are impressed that the departed officers were given deserved burial but we would also urge the military authorities to ensure that the entitlements of their departed ones are processed expeditiously. This is one sure way of motivating other officers that their loved ones would not be exposed to unnecessary embarrassment should they die in service.
We appreciate Governor Dickson’s heart of gold. We however urge the governor to keep tabs on developments on this matter to ensure that the promise of jobs to the widows becomes a reality and not mere political rhetoric.
Perhaps the best way to immortalise the departed officers is for the soldiers to rededicate themselves anew to the anti-terror war. Observed lapses should be corrected so that a closure can be brought to the activities of the terrorists as soon as possible.
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