Lt.-Cmdr. Gideon Gwaza of the Nigerian Navy, who made the ultimate sacrifice during a rescue operation in Rivers State, saving 59 lives, has been buried with full military honours at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
Persecondnews recalls that Gwaza lost his life on July 30 while saving 59 people from the dredging vessel MV AMBIKA 4, which was on the verge of sinking near the Okpobo River.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, described Gwaza’s death as sad.
Ogalla said: “It is a very sad event to us, the Nigerian Navy family, and the armed forces in general. We have all listened to the tributes said about the officer.
“From all that has been said and from the enquiries that I have made, and also looking at his career records, I can only say that the officer was a born soldier.
“This was evident in the various assignments he performed while in the service and also in the various courses and trainings that he passed through in the service, where he always came out as number one.”
According to Ogalla, Gwaza’s death was a testament to his selfless commitment to serving both his country’s naval forces and the global community.
He said: “Because the assignment that he was given that day was to go and rescue a merchant vessel that was in distress and was about to sink.
“I received that information distress call from the company that a vessel was about to sink with 59 crew members on board.
“Out of those 59 persons on board, we had 10 Navy personnel on board. These 59 crew members were in danger of being perished. Lieutenant Commander Gwaza was detailed with a team of other patriotic ratings and officers to go and rescue these people.
“Unfortunately, and in line with the operating environment where we operate, where you cannot predict the nature of tide perfectly, you can also not predict so many other factors that take place out there at sea. He had an accident, and we lost him that day. It’s very sad.”
Also speaking at the funeral ceremony, the Commanding Officer, Bonny, Capt. M.A. Mohammed, said Gwaza knew the operation was risky but braved the odds to rescue the victims.
He said that apart from the operation that claimed his life, Gwaza had displayed courage in others.
Mohammed said: “After his passing, I’ve had cause to hear from two indigents in Bonny of how he rescued them from trouble in the dead of the night, single-handedly.
“I have also seen his courage displayed on numerous occasions. He tackled all his assigned tasks with the same vigour and selflessness.
“And it is these same attributes, I believe, that compelled him to go against all odds on that rescue mission, although we knew it was very risky.
“I am probably the last person to have seen him before he left and to have spoken with him. Throughout the five months of my time, there was no single day I did not hear Gidon’s voice.
“Up to this moment, I still hear it. He is a true hero and an asset, not just to the Navy but to the nation as a whole. His personality transcends him, even beyond the shores of this country.
“We will miss him a great deal. The entire Bonny community already misses him.”
Salome, Gwaza’s wife, expressed pride and solace in her husband’s heroic life-saving act, expressing comfort in his selfless sacrifice.
She said: “We had nine years of deepest love, happiest marriage, and true partnership. He nurtured us all in the ways of the Lord. You were my number one role model. It’s hard for me to accept that you are no longer here.
“I wake up every day to see the cold space where you live. You were very intelligent. You were selfless. You were dedicated and brave. You loved your job so well, and I’m glad you died as a hero. I will forever be proud of you. Your children will be proud of you.
“You were a true soldier who loved and cherished every moment spent together. I will love your children even more. I never thought you would leave this early.
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