The Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has expressed deep shock and profound sadness over the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State on Monday, involving 32 persons on board.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke in Asaba, Rt. Hon. Guwor who is the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, described the incident as a national tragedy and a painful blow to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the aviation sector and the entire nation.
The statement reads:
“On behalf of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, I join all well-meaning Nigerians to mourn the tragic crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Ondo State.
This is a very sad and heartbreaking incident. Our hearts go out to the officers, crew members and other persons on board, their families, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Federal Government of Nigeria in this moment of grief.
We condole with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Air Staff, the entire Nigerian Armed Forces, the government and people of Ondo State where the crash occurred, and the families who are now facing unimaginable pain and loss.
We commend President Tinubu for his swift directive ordering a full and thorough investigation into the crash. This decisive action underscores the premium the Commander-in-Chief places on the lives of our military personnel and on aviation safety.
We urge relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), to carry out a transparent, comprehensive and technically sound investigation to establish the cause of the crash and to prevent a recurrence.
Incidents like this remind us of the enormous sacrifices our gallant military personnel make daily to keep Nigeria safe and united. We must, as a nation, continue to prioritize the safety, welfare and operational readiness of our Armed Forces.
As legislators across the 36 States, we will continue to support through legislative interventions, all efforts aimed at strengthening safety standards.
We pray for the repose of the souls of those who may have lost their lives, for divine comfort for their families. May God grant the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation the fortitude to bear this painful loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy”.
