By Precious Igbonwelundu 

With 72 gunshots fired three rounds by the 24 armed members of the burial party, the Nigerian Navy (NN) community bade its former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Patrick Koshoni (retd) final farewell.

The event which held on Thursday at the Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi where Koshoni was interred, followed a requiem at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Lagos Island.

Mammoth crowd of security personnel cordoned all streets adjoining to the church where dignitaries from all works of life gathered to pay last respects to the deceased.

The mass which was officiated by the church’s administrator Fr. Marcellinus Teko, Associate Priest Fr. Raymond Emedo and NN Director of Chaplaincy Commander Robert Okparaji, had in attendance Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, Festus Keyamo and Olorunimbe Mamora, wife of Lagos State Governor Dr. Ibirunke Sanwo-Olu, serving and retired military personnel including the deceased’s Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 28 mates and other friends of the family.

After the mass, a ship-like cart, similar to that used for Lord Viscount Nelson in the 1800s carried the casket covered with Nigerian flag and had his service sword, cap atop into a waiting hearse for movement to the vault.

Commissioned officers lifted it and slowly marched behind the burial party through a well laid red carpet to the graveside followed by Admirals and their equivalent in the Armed Forces, Koshoni’s family members, service chiefs and other guests.

Despite announcement at the church that the graveside was strictly for the navy and his family, scores of people who said the deceased was an exceptional human being, trooped to the vault.

In his tribute to Koshoni, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha said he would be fondly remembered for his moral forthrightness, selfless service to his family and meritious service to his fatherland.

Permanent Secretary,  Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa said Koshoni lived a fulfilled life in which he served humanity with his finest intellect.

“He was a colossus in the Nigerian Navy which he loved with passion. A fine gentleman, and an officer par excellence. He never, for once, shied away from the call of duty to our beloved nation-whenever his services were needed.

“He left indelible marks on the sands of time for which he will forever be fondly remembered, with immense appreciation and gratitude,” she said.

To the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Koshoni will be greatly missed by the Nigerian Armed Forces for his exemplary leadership and tremendous contributions to the Nigerian Navy and the nation.

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said they were saddened by the news of Koshoni’s death, recalling with immense pride, his distinguished career in the NN and public service which crested his appointment as CNS from October 7, 1986 to December 26, 1989.

Read Also: Tinubu, Falana, bid Beko’s widow farewell

“Realising that death is an unavoidable end for us all, we take solace in the fact that Admiral Koshoni, as Chief of Naval Staff, demonstrated immense intellectual sagacity through various strategic and doctrinal initiatives which have remained pivotal to the growth and development of the service.

“This reinforces his uncommon standing as one of the foremost maritime icons of the Nigerian state. His extra regimental foray into public service as the Honorable Ministers of Health, Transport and Aviation and Labour and Productivity were also highly impactful to the progress of our dear nation.

“I therefore remain convinced that the Admiral will continue to be remembered as an illustrious son of the nation who left behind a rich legacy of patriotism and public service.”

Similarly, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu said Koshoni’s professionalism and amiable personality endeared him to his colleagues and subordinates during his service years.

“Even in retirement, he was known to have committed himself to national and community service, while upholding the best tradition of discipline, service and sacrifice towards advancing our nation’s peace and national security interests,” he said.

Minister for Labor and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige said: “As the Minister of Labor and Productivity between September 12, 1985 and October 6, 1986, he played significant role in the development of maritime labor laws, an act buoyed by his earlier experience as the Chief of Naval Personnel and later Chief of Naval Staff where he initiated the manpower rationalisation and the articulation of maritime strategic imperatives”.

Former Commandant National Defence College (NDA) Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (retd) who was Koshoni’s Flag Lieutenant said: “I was the Flag Lieutenant to Late Admiral Patrick Seubo Koshoni when he was Minister of Labour and Productivity and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) between 1985 and 1987. I was later to be appointed the first Naval Assistant to CNS after handing over Flag Lieutenant duty to the then Lieutenant Kehinde Komolafe.

“My service with the Admiral was one that was full of great memories and experience. I saw Admiral Koshoni as my father and mentor because he treated me like a son and a trainee officer under him.

“Most of the good things I learned from him helped me throughout my career in the Navy. Particularly, he made me to understand that cleanliness is Godliness and that there was no other way to success other than being hardworking, loyal, dedicated and maintaining high standard of integrity. I am eternally grateful to him for his tutelage during my early life in the Nigerian Navy. God bless his soul.”