BEVERLY HILLS, September 25, (THEWILL) – Chief Ufot Joseph Ekaette, a former Secretary to the federal government (1999 – 2007), who also served as a Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and later as Minister of Niger Delta, is dead.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a condolence statement Thursday morning in Nigeria expressed shock and grief over his death describing him as “a consummate administrator who dedicated himself to duty in the course of his distinguished public service.”
President Buhari in the statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, extolled the late Ekaette “as a gentleman who had given his best in the service of his country.”
According to the President, “the late Ekaette would always be remembered not only for his remarkable public service record, but also because of his immense contributions towards bringing peace in the once troubled Niger Delta region.”
While condoling the Ekaette family, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State over the death of the former SGF, President Buhari regretted that “his demise comes at a time when voices like his own are needed to move Nigeria forward in the face of daunting challenges.”
Chief Ekaette, 80, died Wednesday.
