Former Chief of Air Staff Nsikak Eduok dies at 74

Air Vice Marshall Nsikak Eduok(retd), a former Chief of Air Staff and one-time Aviation Minister under the military administration of late General Sani Abacha has died.

Eduok died on Wednesday 6th January at the age of 74 after a long battle with kidney complications.

His death comes almost two weeks after the first military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd) died of Covid-19.

Secretary to Akwa Ibom State, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem announced the death of Nsikak Eduok in a release on Thursday, quoting medical Doctors as saying that he died of ‘end-stage kidney failure.’
Nsikak Eduok after his education began worked briefly as studio manager for Voice of Nigeria; enrolled for a probable pilot course at the Nigeria Air Force in 1968.

Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok obtained his first military exercise from the

Nigerian Defence Academy before going for his principal flying training in 1970.
In 1971 after completing his principal training he went through the Basic Flying training course and emerged the best overall student.

In that same year, he was assigned Second Lieutenant.

Between 1971 and 1986 he attended several flying courses which included Advanced and Tactical Flying training course, Aircraft Accident Investigation course, MiG-21 Conversion Course in the Soviet Union, Advanced Staff Course in the United Kingdom.

In 1991, he attended USAF Air War College in Alabama and graduated in 1992.
Between 1975 and 1976, Nsikak Eduok was the first Operations Officer of the Makurdi Strike Group.

He was Commanding Officer of NAF Station, Enugu and the first Commander of the 75th Fighter Squadron.

Late Air Marshall Nsikak Eduok won National, Defence, Independence and Republic Medals including, Distinguished Service Star and the Meritorious Service Star.