Jonathan, Sambo, Tambuwal, Mimiko mourn ex-CGS

Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and President Goodluck Jonathan

TOP Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Tuesday mourned the death of ex-deputy president under the military, Admiral Mike Akhigbe (retd.).

Akhigbe, who also ruled Lagos and Ondo states as military governor, died on Monday at 68 in the New York City, USA. He was said to have died of throat cancer.

The late ex-Chief of General Staff was also a former Chief of Naval Staff.

Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the deceased as a very courageous officer who served his nation to the best of his God-given abilities throughout a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Though dead, the President said he believed that Akhigbe would 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 statement read in part, “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 midwived the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria and began the commendable re-professionalisation of the Nigerian Armed Forces after decades of involvement in politics.”

Sambo, in a statement by his spokesman, Umar Sani, commiserated with the deceased’s family, friends and well-wishers on behalf of the Federal Government.

The statement read in part, “Admiral Mike Akhigbe has served this nation selflessly. He was Governor, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of General Staff to the military administration 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.  As a statesman, his invaluable counsel will be greatly missed by us. Indeed His loss is a sad and great loss to the country.”

Tambuwal said he was in shock over the death of Akhigbe, noting that the deceased would be remembered for his contributions to the country’s development, which he said led to the restoration of democratic governance in 1999.

A statement by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Imam Imam, quoted Tambuwal as saying that the military regime of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, which Akhigbe served as the CDS, worked hard to ensure that Nigeria returned to the league of democratic nations.

He said, “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, Fuga community in Edo State, the Nigerian Navy and Nigerians as a whole.”

Mimiko described the death of Akhigbe as a great loss to the nation.

The governor, in a statement in Akure on Tuesday by the Ondo State Commissioner of Information, Kayode Akinmade, said 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 the death was not just a great loss to his immediate family but also an irreparable loss to the nation, insisting that “with his wealth of experience, it was too early for him to leave at 68.”

Meanwhile, the House in a resolution on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to immortalise Akhigbe.

A member from Edo State, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, who sponsored a motion on the subject, suggested that a “befitting national monument should be named after Akhigbe.”

The House endorsed the motion and also observed a minute’s silence in his honour.