Mike Akhigbe
The grave-yard silence which often characterizes any military environment was Wednesday broken as dignitaries and civilians alike trooped to the parade ground of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Apapa, Lagos, to pay their last respects to the former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Late Vice Admiral Michael Akhigbe.
The deceased who was also a former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), had given up the ghost on October 28, 2013, surrounded by his wife Josephine and five children-Ikhane, Iretekhai, Azilomhe, Ochuwa and Oshioze.
The service of songs was hosted by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, alongside his wife, Vivian who also doubles as the National President, Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA).
This is just as encomiums poured in from both the military and civilian mourners who had attended the service of songs held for the deceased.
Some of the dignitaries include the Senate President, David Mark and the wife Josephine; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and wife, Dame Abimbola; the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim.
Others are the Anambra State Governorship election flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige; the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Lagos State Government, Major Babatunde Panox (Rtd).
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas; Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha; former Chiefs of Naval Staff; Vice Admirals Akin Aduwo, Jubril Ayinla and Samuel Afolayan, were also present.
Among the sympathisers were elders and relatives of the deceased from Fugar community in Edo State, including friends and retired service chiefs.
In his tribute, the senate president who also doubles as the Chairman of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) of which the deceased was a member of, described the late Akhigbe as fearless in his quest for justice.
He said, "This is a huge personal loss for us. Our friendship started on our first day at the NDA in 1967 and we became inseparable and confidantes till he passed on.
"I nicknamed him NNS fearless because he was indeed fearless and patriotic. He was witty, magnetic, kind and a man of excellence. He would be missed."
Speaking, the CDS promised that the family would never walk alone because a lot of goodwill followed the late Akhigbe.
He said, "He was a man of exemplary leadership whose visionary actions have impacted lives and generations after him."
While rendering his tribute, Fashola said, "Although I did not share the same kind of relationship the deceased had with the senate president but his legacy lives on.
"I was still an undergraduate when Vice Admiral Akhigbe was the military administrator of Lagos but today I occupy the state house and the helicopter pad he built in Ikeja.
"He was ahead of us in terms of seeing the future and today I salute the service of a patriot who served his people and his country with all his power."
Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased's son, Ikhane described his father as a man who eschewed excellence and put value on people despite their social background.
He said, "We take solace because he left an unblemished record of excellence and I'm sure he would expect us to tow that path. I tell my mum to take heart because her husband was a good man.
"We do not cry because he told us not to. According to him, death is just the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. He told us to rather live up to the legacy he left behind."
Meanwhile, it was gathered that while the requiem mass would be held today at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, the deceased's body would on Friday depart for Fugar, with stop-over at Government House, Benin.
It was also gathered that final interment of the late Akhigbe would take place on November 23, 2013, Saturday at his family residence in Fugar, Edo State, even though there would be lying in state in the family residence at the Anchorage, 1 Okhai Akhigbe Way Fugar, followed by Christian wake.
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