Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson broke down in tears after inspecting the bodies of the late Governor Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.
Dickson arrived the hospital premises at about 12 noon in company with the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba, other top Naval chiefs and the former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alameiseigha.
He described Saturday crash as "a sad day in the life of the people of the state and the nation".
He said, "It is clearly a sad day for our state and dear country. A day we are reminded of our mortality. A very sad, tragic and irreparable loss. The state and the people of Kaduna have suffered again.
"Let me on behalf of the state government extend our condolences to the government and people of Kaduna State.
"The governor came visiting and to strengthen ties of unity, friendship, brotherliness and peace, but he ended up dying. Let me also extend my condolences to the President."
Dickson said Azazi's death was shocking.
He said, "He was recently appointed Chairman of the Post Flood Management Committee and the Chairman Designate of the Bayelsa Development Company. I am short of words and I pray God give the family the strength to bear the loss.
"I also commiserate with the Navy and the military over the death of the officers. These officers were almost becoming members of Bayelsa State.
"They worked with the state during the deployment of helicopter to assist the state during the flood disaster. I have looked at the corpse and we will make the right decisions.
"The decisions will underscore the sense of bereavement felt by the state government.And all flags must fly at half mast and a three days mourning declared."
Meanwhile, Okoroba community in Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, especially the household of the Presidential aide, Mr. Oronto Douglas, whose father's burial attracted dignitaries to the area on Saturday was thrown into fresh mourning.
Douglas was said to have recoiled in shock when reports filtered in that an helicopter had crashed within the neighbourhood.
Sources close to him said the presidential aide was more devastated when it was established that Azazi and Yakowa were among the people that perished in the incident.
When our correspondent visited the community on Sunday, people were seen lamenting the development.
Our correspondent saw over 15 Nollywood actors and actresses led by Kanayo Kanayo as they filed out of Douglas' compound and walked to the jetty to board a speedboat.
The actors and actresses were said to have refused to travel by air.
Our correspondent gathered that over six helicopters flew into the community for the funeral.
One of the relatives of Douglas, who refused to mention his name, told our correspondent that Douglas was indisposed and would not attend to anybody.
"Douglas has been indoors since this thing happened. He refused to eat and drink. He is sad," he said.
He said Yakowa would have been saved if he had accepted an offer to board a private helicopter.
"He was asked to board one businessman's chopper. But he said he would want to ride with his friend, Azazi. He asked his other aides to board the businessman's chopper," said the source, who craved anonymity.
He added that Yakowa's aide waited in vain for their boss at Port Harcourt.
