04 June 2012, Sweetcrude, Lagos – Officials of some companies in the oil and gas sector on Monday expressed shock over the death of Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, the Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of NNPC.
Ajuonuma was one of the 147 passengers and six crew members who lost their lives in the Dana aircraft that crashed into residential buildings at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos on Sunday.
Meanwhile, three days of mourning have begun in Nigeria for more than 153 people killed when the Dana passenger plane crashed yesterday in Lagos.
They paid their condolence in separate phone interviews in Lagos.
They agreed that the death of Ajuonuma would create a vacuum in the oil and gas industry.
Mr Nigel Cookey-Gam, the Communication Manager of Mobil Producing Nigeria, said “we feel it even more here at Mobil because his daughter works with us.
“We cannot question God, but we grieve with those grieving, trusting and abiding in hope,’’ he said.
Mr Yemi Fakaiyejo, the Public Affairs Advisor to Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), said that the sudden death of Ajuonuma was shocking.
“I am seriously feeling for the family on the death of their bread winner.
“I am indeed familiar with the family, most especially the daughter, who works with us at Mobil,’’ he said.
Fakaiyejo prayed to God to protect the family and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
Mr Tony Okenedo of Shell Petroleum Development Company described the incident as tragic.
`It is difficult to say a word at this period.
“The death of Ajuonuma and that of all the victims is indeed a monumental loss,’’ he said.
Mr Emeka Ugwuanyi, the Chairman of the National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC), also expressed shock on the death of Ajuonuma.
He urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to look into the cause of the crash with a view to preventing a recurrence.
“The entire members of NAEC join all Nigerians to mourn with Ajuionuma’s family and all those who lost their lives in the plane crash.
“I pray to God Almighty to grant the families of the victims the courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones,’’ he said.
NAN recalls that Dana Airline flight, MD 83, crashed into some residential buildings at the Iju-Agege area of Lagos on Sunday.
Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that all those in the aircraft died. (NAN)
