Bestow co-pilot buried in Calabar

Bristow co-pilot buried in Calabar 22 Aug 2015 1:57 AM  The body of the co-pilot of the Bristow helicopter which crashed in the Lagos Lagoon, Capt. Peter Kayode Bello, was on Friday interred at the Eyo Ita axis of the Hawkins Cemetery in Calabar, Cross River State. The body was supposed to have been buried on Thursday, but it was not released from Lagos. A well-attended funeral mass was held despite the absence of the body at the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikot Ansa, Calabar. In the same vein on Friday, a brief mass was held at the same church presided over by Rev Fr. Patrick Cochran after which the burial was held. Fully represented were the management and staff of Bristow. Chief Pilot, E135 Operation, Bristow Africa and Middle East, Capt D.D Pam, in his tribute, said among all the First Officer in the Lagos operation, the late Bello stood out. Pam said, “Always smartly and neatly dressed, great composure, very respectful, but very confident, very sociable and helpful. “What I remember most were his usual lucid words of encouragement and support to me with regards to the Embraer 135 project my team is currently working on. This is really fascinating and impressive, considering I am the Chief Pilot and he is a co-pilot. “I found his words and behaviour very mature and helpful considering what most people of his age would normally do or say. He is indeed an icon and would be greatly missed.” The National President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Bassey Edem, said the death was a sad and huge devastation to the family. He prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul. Also, the National Secretary, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Gbolagade Iyiola, prayed for fortitude for the family to bear the loss. The Amoji Ohekpa Ikogor Ogamade family of Yala Local Government Area, while conveying their condolences, said it was however gratifying that Bello passed on with satisfying joy and assurance to meet with his Lord and maker. A tribute by Dr. Clement Adagbor Odey on behalf of the family, said this knowledge should comfort them in this moment of grief. Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: editor@punchng.com