Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Uduaghan, Tambuwal, others mourn Akhigbe. President Goodluck Jonathan, has commiserated with the family of Admiral Mike Akhigbe over the death of the former Chief of General Staff in a United States hospital. In Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, home town of the late Admiral Akhigbe, authorities of the traditional council have declared three days mourning for the former Nigerian number two man. Meanwhile Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former deputy governor, Dr Peter Obadan all mourned Admiral Akhigbe, yesterday. Also, Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, former Minister of Communications during the General Sani Abacha regime, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, have joined in mourning Akhigbe. President Jonathan in a statement by his aide on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said: “While Vice Admiral Akhigbe may have left the world of the living, President Jonathan believes that he will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all whose lives he touched positively during his long and remarkable career of national service in military commands and in the political offices he held as a military officer. “He also commiserates with officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, which Vice Admiral Akhigbe once led as Chief of Naval Staff, as well as the government and people of his home state, Edo, on the passage of the very courageous officer, who patriotically served his country to the best of his God- given abilities through out a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces. “The President joins Vice Admiral Akhigbe’s family, colleagues and subordinates in the Nigerian Navy, friends, associates and all who knew him in mourning the former Chief of General Staff” the statement added. The President said he believed that Vice Admiral Akhigbe will be especially remembered and honoured by present and future generations for serving with distinction as military governor of Lagos and Ondo States, and as Chief of General Staff in the military administration that mid-wifed the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria and began the commendable re-professional ization of the Nigerian Armed Forces after decades of involvement in politics. He prayed that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Vice Admiral Akhigbe and grant his soul eternal rest. Elder brother of the deceased, Chief Akemoh Akhigbe, said “It is devastating, particularly after they wrote that my brother was dead when he was still alive. We thought he could make it but he gave up Monday midnight. We are devastated because he was father of all.” Markets, shops closed at Fugar: Following his death, markets and shops were closed at Fugar. Traditional rulers and elders held marathon meetings over the sad incident. The late Admiral created the council and brought development to the area when he was Chief of General Staff. The Chairman of the council, Mr Emmanuel Momoh, said “It is a big blow to us, this was the time we needed him most because the council executive were sworn in early this year, so we needed his advice as a father but he is no more. But we take solace in the fact that he lived a good life, he got to the peak of his career, he achieved a lot and he left a good mark. “There is no way the history of Nigeria is written today and his name will not be mentioned. On our own we have accepted it, the council has declared three days of mourning and as time goes one will know what to do next. He was our ambassador, our role model, a fighter who spoke the truth at all times. We will miss him,” he said. Oshiomhole mourns Oshiomhole, in his condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said: “It is with a sad heart that I mourn the death of Vice Admiral Akhigbe, an elder statesman, a pan-Nigeria nationalist, a man of uncommon qualities and an illustrious son of Edo State. “Vice Admiral Akhigbe’s track records as former military Governor of Lagos and old Ondo states, as Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of General Staff are indelible. He no doubt discharged his duties creditably and left huge imprints in the sands of time. “Indeed, we owe him a great debt of gratitude for his invaluable contributions which led to the nascent democracy being enjoyed in the nation today. In Edo State, Admiral Akhigbe was a pillar of support as he had cause to disagree with his political party at several times while championing a good cause for the state. “Vice Admiral Akhigbe, no doubt, had lived his life to the fullest and made indelible mark both as a disciplined military officer and as an administrator. “His death has no doubt robbed Edo State and Nigeria of one of her brightest minds. “We feel even more pained that death robbed us of Vice Admiral Akhigbe at this time while we still mourn the passage of another illustrious son of the state, Professor Omo Omoruyi. However, as we mourn, we take solace that he contributed his best and gave his all to the state and the country. For these, the people and Government of Edo State are grateful and proud. I pray God to grant the soul of the departed Vice Admiral peaceful eternal rest in His bosom and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss,” it stated. He was a disciplinarian — Uduaghan Governor Uduaghan in a statement by his press secretary, Felix Ofou, described the former number two citizen as a disciplinarian who lived a spartan life and insisted that the interest of the masses must be considered before critical national decisions were taken. The governor applauded Akhigbe’s pro-people initiatives, resulting among others, in his joining hands with General Abdulsalami Abubakar to return Nigeria to civilian democracy in May, 1999 as well as helping to nurture it. “Admiral Akhigbe was a fine naval officer, a gentleman and patriot who rose to the pinnacle of his career, including being appointed as the Chief of General Staff or number two to General Abubakar. And it is to their collective credit that Nigeria was returned to civilian democracy in May, 1999,” he said. Governor Uduaghan recalled that Akhigbe, after leaving office, joined forces with other patriots to nurture the country’s fragile democracy, opposing any suggestion for the military to return to power. “He joined partisan politics and was against the use of force or thuggery in winning elections.He was one of the ex-generals who admitted that military rule was an aberration and helped to stem its tide.” An exemplary officer — Mimiko Governor Mimiko, in a message, said the late Akhigbe was an exemplary officer whose life after retirement was also worthy of emulation. He said the former Military Administrator of Ondo State was part of the developmental process of the state as he contributed his quota to its growth. Mimiko said his death was not just a great loss to his immediate family but also an irreparable loss to the nation, adding “with his wealth of experience, it was too early for him to leave at 68.” Noting that he will be sorely missed, Mimiko said the family of the departed should be proud of the legacies he left behind and be consoled by the memories of his worthy life, even as he prayed that God grant him eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss. On his part, Chief Igbinedion said “Nigeria and Edo State in particular have lost a fine gentleman, a worthy Naval officer, who we all will miss dearly. It is sad and I am devastated like every other person that came in contact with our late brother, Admiral Akhigbe.” Obadan, on his part said “we have lost an honest, disciplined and principled politician. I don’t know how to describe him anymore, but just to say he was a good man that hated injustice, oppression. God knows best and may his gentle soul rest in peace.” A gentleman officer — Tambuwal Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, described Akhigbe as a gentleman officer whose contributions, and that of his peers, towards restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 will remain indellible in the annals of Nigeria’s history. He said Nigerians will forever remain grateful to the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led regime, which Akhigbe served for their diligence and commitment to ensure the return of democracy to the country. “As a proof of his commitment to democratic ideals, Akhigbe continued to render selfless services to the nation post-1999 until his death on Monday. Nigeria has lost one of its eminent sons. I extend my condolence to his family, Fugar community in Edo State, the Nigerian Navy and Nigerians as a whole,” he added. He effected our release from prison—Olanrewaju Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, in a message from his London home, said that the memories of the good days of Akhigbe and of the many good he did especially for working loyally with his boss and former Head of State General Abubakar in effecting immediate release from prison of officers involved in the phantom Diya coup of 1997 including himself can never be wished away in a hurry. “Admiral Akhigbe’s death is painful and heartbreaking. He was a patriot statesman, loyal to his boss and the country. He was bold, courageous and principled. In spite of opposition from a powerful element in the Provisional Ruling Council, PRC, at that time, he stood his ground with General Abubakar and other members in the ruling council to grant us clemency over the 1997 coup trials. The late Admiral was an Admiral that any nation would love to have. I sympathise with the Akhigbe family over the loss of their bread winner. As a colleague, I have lost a personal friend,” said the former minister.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 06:00:43 +0000
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