EXCLUSIVE: NNS Fearless Goes Home in Style

Mike Akhigbe

It was gathering of the creme de la creme of the military as the former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Late Vice Admiral Michael Okhai Akhigbe,  was sent home in style yesterday in Lagos.
Enrolled into the National Defence Academy (NDA) as an officer cadet, Akhigbe began his military career in 1976 as the Regular Corse 3 member at Kaduna.

He graduated in 1969 and embarked upon his navy career as a midshipman on the famous Nigerian navy warships. Known for his penchant for excellence and hardwork, he volunteered and undertook several naval assignments in the course it his military career.

In his drive for excellence, he emerged as the best naval student during his graduation from the Nigeria Command and Staff College Jaji, Kaduna in 1983.

He soon rose in ranks and once served as the Commanding Officer of the flagship navy vessel, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Obuma before he served as the Chief Staff Officer of NAVTRAC from 1989 to 1990.

He then proceeded in 1990 to become the Director of Naval Plans, Policy and Budget for a year and then the Director, Naval Faculty of the Command and Staff College, Jaji.

In I993, he became the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, and then on August 22, 1994, he reached the zenith of his career with his promotion to the rank of rear admiral and his appointment as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) as the 13th CNS and the 11th Nigerian to preside over the nation's  maritime force.

He earned the sobriquet NNS Fearless from the
Senate President, Senator David Mark, who also doubles as the Chairman of the 3rd Regular Course, for his frank and outspoken nature despite whose ox is gored.

Asides his excellence in his chosen career, Akhigbe was also a career man who alongside his wife of 39 years; Josephine raised their five children-Ikhane, Iretekhai, Azilomhe, Ochuwa and Oshioze.

The deceased who was also a grandfather to Uduokhai, Esiemokhai and Uwekhai, was a recipient of numerous domestic and international awards among them the Meritous Service Star (MSS), the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) amongst several others.