Wike Sets Up Initial N30m Education Fund For Slain Col. Elemele’s Children

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has commiserated with the family of late Colonel Kenneth Eze Elemele who was killed alongside other soldiers by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Elemele, who was the Chief of Staff of the 29 Taskforce Brigade in Borno State, was killed alongside four other soldiers by the ISWAP-affiliated members of the Boko Haram insurgents on Wednesday.

They were ambushed and killed in the Jakana area of Borno State while on transit from Damaturu, Yobe State, to Maiduguri.

THE WHISTLER gathered from a family source that the late colonel’s death came two days to the graduation ceremony of one his daughters who graduated from the Air Force Secondary School in Iyana Offa, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The source said Elemele had booked his flight to travel by air to attend his daughter’s graduatuion, but that his pass was cancelled.

Governor Wike who paid a condolence visit to Elemele’s family on Saturday, said the Rivers State Government has decided to establish an education trust fund for the children of the late colonel who hailed from Omoku in Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA of the state.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said the education trust fund will take off with an initial seed money of N30million.

The governor described Elemele’s death as a great loss to the people of Rivers State and the country at large.

“This is a sad loss of an illustrious son of Rivers State. We were expecting the emergence of another General before this unfortunate incident,” said Wike.

“Please accept my personal condolence and that of the good people of Rivers State. The Rivers State Government shares this grief with the family. We will stand with you through this period.

“We urge you to put your trust in God. Be strong for your children. God will always support you at this time,” said the governor.