By Francis Onoiribholo (Benin), Chesa Chesa, Stella Odueme-Omona, Rotimi Akinwumi (Abuja, Felix Igbekoyi (Asaba) and Temidayo Akinsuyi (Lagos)
President Goodluck Jonathanjonat
Eminent Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday paid glowing tribute to late Mike Akhigbe, a retired Vice Admiral of the Nigerian Navy, who died in New York, United States of America, on Monday at the age of 68 years.
The head of the Akhigbe family, Joseph Akhigbe, as well as the Navy Headquarters on Tuesday confirmed the death.
Joseph spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in their Fugar country home in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo while the Director of Naval Information, Kabir Aliyu, spoke in a telephone interview with our correspondent.
Joseph said the eldest son of the deceased called him on telephone at about midnight from the U.S. and announced the death of his father.
The late Akhigbe was Chief of General Staff (Second-in-Command) to former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Jonathan described him as "a courageous officer who patriotically served his nation to the best of his God-given abilities throughout a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces."
In his condolences to the widow, children and relatives of the deceased as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, and the government and people of his home state, Edo, Jonathan prayed to God to grant Akhigbe's soul eternal rest.
According to an Aso Rock statement, "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.
"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.
"The President believes 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 present democratic dispensation in Nigeria and began the commendable re-professionalisation of the Nigerian Armed Forces after decades of involvement in politics".
Vice President Namadi Sambo also commiserated with the family, friends and well-wishers of the late Akhigbe.
Sambo noted that the deceased "also served the nation selflessly as military Governor and Chief of General Staff, to the military administration of Abdusalami Abubakar that ensured the smooth transition from military to a democratically elected government.
"He was a disciplined military officer who rose to the peak of his profession by dint of hard work and commitment."
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Tuesday, expressed shock and sadness.
In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Imam Imam, Tambuwal described Akhigbe as a gentleman officer whose contributions, and that of his peers, towards restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 will remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria's history.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Akhigbe's death as another colossal loss to Nigeria at a point the country needed his counsel to deal with its current challenges.
Atiku took over as Vice President from Akhigbe in 1999 following a successful transfer of power from the military to civilian administration.
In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Atiku recalled that Akhigbe's contributions to Nigeria's transition from military to civil rule, which lasted nine months, could not be easily forgotten.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State described Akhigbe's death as a great loss to the state and country.
Also reacting, Security Adviser to Delta State Governor and former Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, one of the officers who served under him, Real Admiral John Onoriode Kpokpogri (rtd), described Akhigbe's death as a colossal lost.
Former ASUU President, Festus Iyayi, described the late Akhigbe as an unassuming but highly effective man in his lifetime.
"He was not boastful and so was not often in the public eye. We may not have agreed with his political commitments but he was very effective and delivered on his promises," Iyayi said.
Former member of the Provisional Ruling Council and one-time Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd), in his reaction described Akhigbe as a great patriot who will be missed by Edo people and Nigerians in general.
"He served this country with dedication," Abbe recalled.
Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who hails from the same Etsako Central Local Government with Akhigbe, Dan Orbih, said the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation, rising through the officer cadre of the navy and reaching the pinnacle as Chief of Naval Staff.
Lagos State chapter of the PDP described the late Akhigbe as "an amiable, fearless and brilliant officer whose demise at this critical stage of Nigeria's rebuilding is a big loss."
Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, described Akhigbe's death as a sad surprise.
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, described the death of Akhigbe as a great loss to the nation.
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, expressed profound regrets on the demise of the former military officer.
Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, on his part described the late Akhigbe as a courageous leader who always spoke truth to power even in the face of daunting challenges and at great risk to his personal life.
