It was a day of solemn reflection and heartfelt tributes on Saturday as Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State joined dignitaries, family, friends, and well-wishers in Ugep for the final funeral rites and interment of the late Prof. Ibiang Oden Ewa, father of the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Oden Ewa.
In a moving tribute, Governor Otu described the late professor as “an icon whose contributions to academia, military history, and politics have left solid prints on the sands of time.”
“On behalf of Cross Riverians at home and in the diaspora, we have come to pay our last respects and give honor to whom honor is due,” the governor said with measured emotion. “It is indeed very painful to lose such a towering figure. But the true measure of a life well lived is not its length, but the positive impact it leaves behind.”
The governor praised Prof. Ewa’s values, intellect, and devotion to public service, noting that his legacy continues through his children, particularly Commissioner Oden Ewa, whom he commended as “committed, hardworking, and walking faithfully in his father’s steps.” He urged Cross Riverians to draw inspiration from the professor’s example in the ongoing quest for a greater and more united state.
“Prof. Ewa’s dream of a prosperous and cohesive Cross River remains an unfinished mission,” Otu said. “It is now up to all of us to carry that vision forward.”
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retired), Administrator of Rivers State, represented by his wife, Mrs. Theresa Ibas, hailed the deceased as “a distinguished academic, a man of enviable intellect, and a beacon of wisdom whose scholarly works have left an indelible mark on both the academic and national landscape.”
From Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by Hon. Eze Okoro, described Prof. Ewa as “a man of service, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of society.”
The service drew an impressive cross-section of society, notably, senior government officials, academics, politicians across party lines, traditional rulers, and community leaders, all united in celebrating a life that touched many.
Born on October 31, 1960, in Idomi, Yakurr Local Government Area, Prof. Ewa rose to prominence as a respected academic and prolific researcher in military and strategic studies, authoring influential works that continue to shape Nigerian scholarship. He passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and selfless service.
