METRO Cross River lawmaker, Simon Egbong is dead

A member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, representing Ikom II State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Simon Nkoro Egbong has been reported dead.

DAILY POST gathered that late Egbong had been battling with a protracted illness that has been seeing him off-and-on India for treatment.

Unfortunately, he died last night at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Reacting to the death, the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade expressed shock and sadness.

He said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita that the death of the lawmaker is a “loss so painful to bear.”

“Hon. Nkoro’s demise leaves a sour taste in my mouth and ache in my heart. But then, we cannot question God. Him and only Him alone has prerogative over life.

“However, as a human, my heart is heavy, filled with sorrow. I agnoise and mourn this death,” the statement quoted the governor.

While decrying that the late lawmaker “departed at a time his service to our dear state is most needed,” he described him as “a dedicated lawmaker, a consumate politician, a team player and loyal partyman, whose death is a huge loss to the people and government of Cross River state.”

He offered his heartfelt condolences to Nkoro’s family, colleagues and constituency.

He prayed God to grant them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss, saying “we are together with you in prayers in this moment of unspeakable sadness.”