Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, and his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Duoye Diri, have mourned the death of the first Military Administrator of Ebonyi State, Navy Captain Walter Aye Feghabo (retd.).
He died on October 19 at the age of 69.
Feghabo was appointed the pioneer Military Administrator of Ebonyi State shortly after its creation in 1996.
He governed the young state between October 1996 and August 1998 before his appointment as the Military Administrator of Delta State in May 1999.
In a personal statement, Umahi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the retired naval officer.
The minister described the late military officer as a disciplined leader and patriotic Nigerian whose courage, professionalism, and commitment to service left indelible marks in Nigeria’s administrative history.
“The life and times of the late Navy Captain Feghabo reflected the core values of his professional calling. He shall be remembered for his sense of courage and commitment to the Navy’s core leadership competencies — accomplishing the mission, leading people, leading transformation, working with the people, and resource stewardship,” he said.
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Umahi noted that Feghabo’s tenure as the first Military Administrator of Ebonyi State provided the foundational leadership that inspired growth, direction, and stability for successive administrations.
The minister condoled with the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Navy, and the government and people of Bayelsa State, praying for the repose of his soul.
Also, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, Governor Nwifuru described the passing of the pioneer Military Administrator as a “colossal loss to the nation”.
The governor lauded Feghabo’s vision, patriotism, and discipline, noting that he played a historic role in shaping the outlook of Ebonyi State at its inception.
“When Ebonyi State was created in 1996, Navy Captain Feghabo took up the historic responsibility of giving direction, hope, and administrative structure to a fledgling state emerging from two parent states,” the governor said.
“With courage, foresight, hindsight, and selflessness, he nurtured the dreams of our founding fathers and set the tone for the development trajectory we are building upon today.”
Nwifuru also applauded the late Feghabo’s humility, passion for national unity, and commitment to public service.
The governor described these as the enduring virtues that would continue to inspire generations of Ebonyi indigenes.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ebonyi State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Bayelsa State, and the Nigerian Navy for the loss of this gallant officer, visionary leader, and nation builder,” Nwifuru added.
Also, the Bayelsa State government has expressed sadness over Feghabo’s passing.
In a statement by Governor Douye Diri’s media aide, Daniel Alabrah, the state expressed sadness at the passing of an “illustrious son”.
It described his demise as “a great loss to the state, the people of Nembe, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria in general”.
Diri described the late Feghabo as a disciplined officer and a great patriot who left at a time his services were still required by the state and the country.
He said Feghabo left indelible marks in public serve and left very exemplary footprints wherever he served.
The Bayelsa State governor extended the condolences of the state to the Feghabo family and the Nembe Kingdom.
He urged them to take solace and be comforted by the late military officer’s distinguished career and unblemished national service.
Diri prayed the Almighty to strengthen the family and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Feghabo was a head chief in Nembe Kingdom and bore the title “Amain”.
He was re-assigned to Delta State in 1998 till the country’s return to democratic rule in May 1999.