In his memorial speech, President Jonathan noted that unlike the situation of typical Nigerian political leaders, Yakowa did not entice excessive negative remarks while alive.
He described the day of the crash as a black Saturday in the country.
“Yakowa was a unique kind of political leader. Many of us who are political leaders manipulate spiritual views to divide Nigerians for our own selfish interests. We manipulate the North/South divide to divide Nigerians for our selfish gains.
“Yet Yakowa was extremely different. He was a gentleman who relied on the oneness of this country,” the Head of state pointed out. Describing Azazi as somebody who indicated well for the country, Jonathan said his partnership with the former NSA dated back to when he was deputy gov. in Bayelsa State and Azazi was the Director, Military Intelligence.
He said, “Sometimes, people wonder why good people die. It is quite touching. Both of them touched our lives; they worked for this country. We pay condolences to their families, the families of their aides, the family of the pilot as well as the family of the co-pilot.