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Tag: Akhigbe

  • Akhigbe task Buhari on energy generation

    Akhigbe task Buhari on energy generation

    Apparently worried by the incessant power supply and corruption in some sectors of the economy, a chieftain of the All Progressives  Congress in Edo state has urged the President elect, Maj.- Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to live up to his pledge to eradicate corruption in the country and improve on energy generation.

    Comrade John Akhigbe, made the call in an interview with the Newsmen in Benin City, the Edo state capital

    Akhigbe said that corruption had brought so much set back to the socio-economic growth and political stability of the country.

    He explained that eradication of corruption would enable Nigerians to reap the dividends of democracy.

    He called on Nigerians to eschew ethnic sentiments and religious bigotry, which are factors militating against the country’s socio-political and economic development.

    He pointed out that Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, culture and political inclination, are capable of coming together to make the country great under the right leadership.

    Comrade Akhigbe who is the Executive director to the Edo state government on Protocol also lauded the efforts of Nigerians for practically demonstrating maturity that led to the peaceful conduct of the most keenly contested election in Nigeria’s political history.

    “If I am to set an agenda for him, power and corruption should occupy the pride of place; this should be like in the short term. I don’t believe in those people who says he should not probe, for me, he must probe some sectors including the NNPC

    “Nigerians want to know what has happened in NNPC, there is so much corruption in the oil and gas sector. For me, I want to see him addressing power and corruption while the other sector can have their place,” he said

     

  • Edo honours Akhigbe

    Edo honours Akhigbe

    EDO  State Governor Adams Oshiomhole unveiled yesterday the statue of former Chief of General Staff, the late Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, in his home town, Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area.

    The ceremony was attended by top government officials and notable indigenes.

    Oshiomhole said: “Everybody has an opportunity to define how he wants to be remembered. Whether people remember or not, there are things you do that are impossible for people to forget.

    “This road, on which we are hosting the event, was built with several other roads by the late Admiral Akhigbe in nine months. One can only imagine if he had the privilege to live much longer; he would have done much more. So, in Akhigbe we had a leader who remembered that no matter how much privileges he had in life, he needed to give something back to his roots.

    “I believe that all of us, who are here today, would be inspired by what is being done in his honour and to try to remember that we come from somewhere. It is a great honour to be here to unveil this statue in memory of our late brother and leader.”

    The governor hailed the Chairman of the local government for immortalising the late Naval chief.

    He added that “nothing can be too much for the leadership the late Admiral provided for us”.

    Oshiomhole said: “I want to thank the people of Fugar for remembering their son. To see this crowd this hot afternoon waiting patiently for hours shows that even in death, Admiral Akhigbe commands the respect of his people. May God bring more development to this community.”

    The local government chairman Emmanuel Momoh said immortalising the late Akhigbe was the least the local government could do because of his immense contributions to the development of the area and the nation.

    A son of the late Admiral, Mr. Ikhane Akhigbe, hailed the state and local governments for honouring his father.

  • Akhigbe buried amid tributes

    Akhigbe buried amid tributes

    The remains of the late former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, were interred beside his mother’s grave at his country home in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

    A 21 gunshot salute was fired after the dust to dust rites were performed.

    The corpse was carried in a black hearse.

    Speaking at the funeral mass held at St Theresa Catholic Church, President Goodluck Jonathan represented by Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, described Akhigbe as an exemplary officer, a gentleman and consummate administrator who displayed outstanding leadership.

    The President expressed hoped that the Nigerians would learn from the sterling qualities of the late Admiral.

    In a homily, Rev. Fr. Innocent Okifoh said Christian burial was for spiritual support of the soul of the death and to honour the living.

    “Death is not the end of life. It only changes the texture of life.

    “Akhigbe has been in Government and every mandate to govern is from God and when you are in government, you should ask yourself what would you be remembered for and what would God reward you for”, Rev. Fr. Okifoh said.

    Senate President, Senator David Mark said Akhigbe was the rallying point for all the members of the 3 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

    Mark urged the children to follow the footsteps of their father.

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said God used Akhigbe to restore civil rule to the country.

    “There are many things Nigerians can learn from Akhigbe. One lesson from the Admiral is that it is not how long you stay in power that would define what you do”.

    Oshiomhole, who praised the honesty of purpose and courage of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Admiral Akhigbe in handing over power to civilians within a short time, said Akhigbe would be missed by all.

    Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, was yesterday absent at the funeral service.

    Ogiadomhe hails from Fugar and was a political son to late Akhigbe.

    It was gathered that late Akhigbe allegedly instructed his family not to allow Ogiadomhe participate in his funeral if he did not survive the ailment.

    Family sources said Akhigbe gave instructions that Ogiadomhe should only be allowed to participate if the feud between them was settled.

    The source told The Nation that the family reminded Ogiadomhe of the late Naval chief’s wish when he visited the family at Fugar.

    Ogiadomhe, however, hosted some top government functionaries at his Fugar residence.

    Fugar town and its environs was adorned with Akhigbe posters and the streets were empty as the residence attended the funeral service to pay their last respect.

  • Akhigbe buried

    The remains of Vice Adm. Mike Akhigbe, a former Chief of General Staff (CGS), were laid to rest on Saturday in Fugar, Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Speaking at the funeral mass, President Goodluck Jonathan described Akhigbe as an exemplary officer and a gentleman, and a consummate administrator who displayed outstanding leadership. ‪

    Jonathan hoped that Akhigbe’s sterling qualities would inspire Nigerians to be more committed to providing greater service to the country.

    He prayed that God would grant Akhigbe’s wife and family the strength to cope with the loss.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the President was represented by the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo.

    Earlier, in a homily, the Rev. Fr. Innocent Okifoh, said that a Christian burial was for spiritual support to the soul of the dead and to honour the living. ‪

    “Death is not the end of life. It only changes the texture of life. ‪

    “Akhigbe has been in Government and every mandate to govern is from God. When you are in Government, you should ask yourself what you would be remembered for and what God would reward you for,” he said. ‪

    The Senate President, David Mark, described Akhigbe as a very humble man who thought more of Nigeria.

    He recalled that Akhigbe was the rallying point for all the members of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    He urged his children to emulate their father.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo expressed gratitude to God for what He used Akhigbe to do for the country, the state and for himself. ‪

     

     

  • Omoruyi buried as Akhigbe’s remains arrive Benin

    Omoruyi buried as Akhigbe’s remains arrive Benin

    Former Director General of the defunct Centre for Democratic Change, Prof. Omo Omoruyi, was yesterday interred at his Benin City residence.

    Omoruyi died on October 13 this year after a prolonged battle with cancer.

    His interment followed a commendation service at the University of Benin and funeral service at the Central Baptist Church.

    At the church service were his wife, Joan, children, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu and Prof. Union Edebiri among others.

    Officiating priest, Rev. Olu Aibimuomo, told the congregation not to give up but to believe in God.

    Rev. Olu, who referred to a book by Prof. Omoruyi, My Journey Back to Life, said God gave the late Omoruyi six years to live a fulfilled life.

    He said it was the late Omoruyi’s desire to do things for God in his last days.

    Rev. Olu said Omoruyi died a happy and a contended father.

    Also, the remains of former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, arrived Benin City aboard a military aircraft, NAF 031 yesterday.

    The body arrived the Benin Airport at 11:45 am and was received by Edo State Government officials.

    There was a lying-in-state of the former naval chief at the Edo Government House.

    Oshiomhole in his eulogy said Akhigbe made it possible for someone like him to become the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress through the removal of obnoxious extant laws.

    The body of Akhigbe was taken to his hometown, Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, for the final burial rites slated for today. He will buried beside his late mother.

    In a tribute, former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, described Aikhigbe’s death as a painful loss 5to the nation.

    Babangida said: “It hurts me very pointedly to know that Nigeria has lost such a brilliant gentleman officer, passionately committed to the unity of our dear country and incurably optimistic about its vision and future. Okhai was not only down-to-earth on anything he laid his hands on; he was an extraordinary officer amongst his compatriots in Course 3, some of whom I had the rare privilege of working with both as an officer of the Nigerian Army and later as Military President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He said the late Aikhigbe would be sorely missed, not only by the Nigerian military but by every Nigerian who understands and appreciates the capacity of the human intellect to contend with situations.

    “Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe represents one of the intellectual dimensions of the Nigerian military, and typical of his calling and training, he brought finesse and class to bear throughout his service years. Members of his Course 3 preciously referred to him as NNS FEARLESS, judging by his indubitable sense of courage, fearlessness, boldness and matter-of-fact disposition to issues.

    “In spite of his training as a gentleman officer, who understood military doctrines of obeying rules before offering any complaint, he was not one to kowtow to instructions without inquisition.

    “Once convinced about the motive of an action, one could be rest assured of his total loyalty and commitment to the cause without looking back. These and some others were the qualities he brought to bear when I had the rare opportunity to appoint him as Military Administrator to Ondo and Lagos states during our administration’s intervention in the politico-economy of Nigeria.”

  • Tributes to my brother and friend

    Tributes to my brother and friend

    Mike and I met at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) as young cadets in 1967 and we became inseparable course mates, friends and confidants. Together, we confronted the challenges of those days with a very strong determination to make success of our lives.

    Our brotherhood was so strong that colleagues and friends called us (myself, Mike and Tunde) the 3 Musketeers. I was particularly close to him because whilst in the NDA I had initially wanted to join the Navy but fate would later place me in the Army. Yet, there was never a distance between us.

    From our very first contact at the entrance interview, we took to each other. He simply called me Dave and I gave him the name NNS Fearless. A nickname that later trailed him for the rest of his life. Mike was very brave, courageous, compassionate, diligent, fearless , patriotic,  magnetic and witty.

    He was more than a friend and course mate to me. He was my brother, counsellor, confidant and a comrade-at-arms. We shared in each other’s triumphs and moments of pain. Our families shared our friendship and comradeship.

    I remember the last time we spoke. And this was on the phone. He told me, and very courageously too, that he has reached the end of the road and that I will not see him again in this world.

    If Mike had thought that my knowledge of his health condition as well as the tone of courage that laced his words will help me in assimilating the thunderbolt of news that hit me, he was wrong. My courage caved and I felt like the voice and the words I heard were not those of NNS Fearless.

    I quickly expressed a strong objection to his statement and encouraged him not to say a thing like that again. I courageously assured him that he would come out of his health condition stronger and we shall gather together very soon to celebrate his recovery.

    But he stood his grounds saying and categorically told me that it was only a matter of time. This time, his voice was forceful and reverberating. Then there was a silence before we said goodbye. And that turned out to be the last banter that we shared.

    It has pleased God to call him at this time and as mortals we are always bound by the will of Almighty God. His death is a huge personal loss to me. Not just to me. It is a loss to the members of Third Course Alumni, the Armed Forces, Edo State and indeed Nigeria. His wise counsel will be greatly missed and I will personally miss it.

    My consolation is that while he was with us, he lived his life in the service of God and mankind. I therefore urge the wife and the children to take solace in the good works that God used Mike to do while on earth.

    Goodnight my brother, confidant and comrade-at-arms.

    Goodnight FEARLESS

    May the angels lead your soul to heaven till we meet at the feet of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to part no more.  Goodnight!

    •Senator Mark is the Senate President

  • Omo Omoruyi buried

    … Akhigbe remains arrive Benin

    The Director General of the defunct Center for Democratic Change, Prof. Omo Omoruyi , on Friday interred at his Benin City residence.

    Prof. Omoruyi died on October 13 this year after a prolonged battle with cancer.

    His interment followed a commendation service at the University of Benin and Funeral service at the Central Baptist Church.

    At the church service were his wife, Joan, children, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu and Prof. Union Edebiri among others.

    The officiating priest, Rev. Olu Aibimuomo told the congregation not to give up but to believe in God.

    Rev. Olu, who referred to a book by Prof. Omoruyi, “My journey back to life” said God gave the deceased six years to live a fulfilled life.

    He told the congregation that it was late Omoruyi desire to do things for God in his last days.

    The priest said Omoruyi died a happy and a contended father.

    Also, the remains of former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, arrived Benin City aboard a military aircraft, NAF 031.

    The body arrived the Benin Airport at 11:45am and was received by Edo State Government officials.

    There was a lying-in-state for the former naval chief at the Edo Government House.

    The state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in his eulogy said Akhigbe made it possible for people like him to become President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, through the removal of obnoxious extant laws.

    Akhigbe’s body was taken to his hometown in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, for final burial activities slated for Saturday.

     

     

  • How to immortalise Akhigbe, by eminent Nigerians

    How to immortalise Akhigbe, by eminent Nigerians

    Dignitaries yesterday eulogised the ex-Chief of General Staff (CGS), Vice Admiral Michael Akhigbe, who died October 28 after a battle with cancer.

    The dignitaries, including former heads of state, spoke on his life and time at a requiem mass at the Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    They said the best way to honour him was to immortalise the ideals he stood and died for, especially his undying love for education.

    Those at the mass, led by the Parish Priest, Rev. Paul Adisan, included Senate President David Mark and wife Helen; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; former Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan; former CGS, Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya; Second Republic Vice-President Chief Alex Ekwueme; former Chiefs of Naval Staff Vice Admirals Allison-Madueke, S. O. Afolayan, V. K. Ombu, Jibril Ayinla and Akin Aduwo, as well as ex-Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musiliu Smith.

    Others included former Foreign Affairs Minister Lt.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; President, Naval Officers’ Wives’ Association Mrs. Vivian Ezeoba; Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Gen. Tunde Ogbeha; Rear Admirals A. A. Afolahan; Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe; F. B. I. Porbeni (rtd), Ndubuisi Kanu, O. O. Joseph, A. O. Oni (rtd) and L. O. N. Iwuoya; Mrs. Rebecca Aikhomu and Chief Don Etiebet.

    Mark described Akhigbe as an excellent person and a devoted Christian.

    The Senate President urged Nigerians to emulate his devotion to God, his family, job and the nation.

    Senator Tinubu said the late Akhigbe was a disciplined and forthright officer.

    She said: “I console with the family for their loss, but they should be proud they had such a man as a father and husband. I think Nigeria should learn from his leadership.

    “We pray that God will touch the hearts of our leaders to put this country right.”

    Mrs. Tinubu said Nigerians and the Edo State government should decide how best to immortalise the late CGS.

    Madueke said Akhigbe’s legacies spoke for themselves, saying: “He was a fine officer; a man with a great heart and a detribalised Nigerian. He was an epitome of hard work, courage, discipline and love.

    “So, I think the best way to immortalise him is for Nigerians to emulate the legacies he left behind,” Madueke said.

    Ayinla said the nation had missed a great man and sailor.

    He said: “Mike was a friend, a diplomat, a frank and brutal officer. He was a man, who did so well and gave all his life in service to the nation. We lived together onboard the same ships. I knew him right from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). We lived in the same house and he would have been my best man.

    “Mike is a man who would give his best in whatever he did and he did same at the Navy and for the nation. He should be immortalised by the legacies he left behind, his love for knowledge and education.

    “He gave his children the best of education, which is the panacea to most of the problems we face in the country.

    “Second, Mike was a detrabalised Nigerian. He did not care where anyone came from or what religion they professed. He only knew a good man and a bad man.

    “Third, he was blunt. One of our problems is that we do not like being told the truth. We need to face the truth and look for solutions to our problems.”

    Mrs. Ezeoba suggested that a befitting monument should be named after the late CGS.

    She said: “He was organised, a good and fearless man. You have heard what everybody has said about him, including the priest.”

    Adisan said though he never met Akhigbe, he left a lasting impression on him.

    In his sermon, after reading from John 11:17-21, the cleric urged Nigerians, especially the leaders, to live good lives because there was life after death.

    He said: “We are gathered here to carry out one of the divine mercy obligations and remind ourselves that we are still one body. When people leave this world, they do not die but live in another form.

    “People who are dead are like angels and can no longer sin but exist in a more perfect form. We must live good lives, if we want to make heaven. Some people have become so absolute in evil that they refuse God’s grace.

    “I had an encounter with him years ago when my elder sister was wedding. She always said she would have many guests on her wedding day and we teased her that she would import a crowd.

    “When it was time for the wedding, she held on to the same belief. Fortunately, Mr and Mrs. Akhigbe were her sponsors. After the mass, we proceeded to the primary school, venue of the reception, since schools were on holiday.

    “Some teachers were at the school and when they heard the Vice Admiral Akhigbe was around, they trooped into the hall.

    “They said he was good to them as military governor of Ondo State by paying their outstanding salaries. So, my sister’s dream of having a full hall was met because we had to provide seats for the teachers.”

  • Senate eulogises Akhigbe, Sekibo

    Senate eulogises Akhigbe, Sekibo

    Senators eulogised yesterday the former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe and Senator Tari J. Sekibo.

    The eulogy for the two statesmen followed separate motions by Domingo Obende (Edo North) and George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East).

    Most senators acknowledged their contributions to the development of their communities and Nigeria.

    The senators noted the contributions of the late Vice Admiral Akhigbe to the smooth transition to civilian rule in 1999.

    Senate President David Mark described the late Vice Admiral Akhigbe as a highly dependable Nigerian.

    Mark said: “Admiral Akhigbe was a patriot in the true sense of the word. All through his life, things that affected the nation worried him.

    “For those of you who know him, Akhigbe was an officer and a gentleman. Throughout his career, he had this disposition of being benevolent, understanding and attentive.

    “When we all graduated, we did so many good things and bad things, but more of the good things. Some of them are legacies that he has left behind. But the most important thing about Akhigbe is that once he gave you his word, you could go to sleep.”

    In his lead debate: Demise of Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe (GCON), Domingo urged the Senate to note with “heavy heart” the death of the former Chief of General Staff on October 20, at 68.

    He gave a brief biography of the late officer, who was born on September 29, 1945 in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

  • Mike Okhai Akhigbe

    I had heard rumours that Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe was ill, but I didn’t know it was unto death. When I was travelling out of the country on September 30, I saw a young man and his wife and daughter in the British lounge in Lagos and this young fellow looked remarkably like Mike Akhigbe and I am one 100 percent sure that this guy must be his son. I wanted to call him and ask if he was Mike’s son, but on second thought, I didn’t ask, because young people these days are unpredictable. He could have said buzz off! Although not very likely.

    I first met Mike Akhigbe I believe in 1984 when I was Professor and Dean of Arts at the University of Maiduguri. I was a member of a committee set up by the Buhari administration to turn the Ojukwu Bunker and the surrounding buildings in Umuahia into a war museum. My former teacher and friend, the late Prof. Emmanuel Adiele Afigbo was also a member of this committee. We had a seminar in Umuahia on the history of Nigerian military in both pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria. A lot of the bright people in the Army, Navy and Air force either served on the National War Museum Committee or came to attend the conference. This was how I first met Commander Mike Akhigbe. Since then, I grew to know him more and more as a highly cerebral and intelligent man who was more at home with academics than perhaps officers in the Armed Forces. When the Babaginda administration came in, the young Mike Akhigbe was made the Governor of Ondo State. I was outside the country at that particular time in 1985, attending one conference or the other. He left words for me that I should kindly get in touch with him immediately I came back to Nigeria. He wanted me to be involved in his administration, but I was not inclined to do so, because I was afraid of local politics. Because of my sad experience with Nigerian politics in the 1960s arising from my Brother Chief Oduola Osuntokun’s equally unhappy experience, I never wanted to be involved in politics, whether military or civilian. Nevertheless, Mike Akhigbe kept in touch with me and I remember his meeting with Ondo State citizens in Lagos and Ibadan, and asking us to ask Babaginda, the then President to give us our due because at that particular time we did not have any representation in government and yet we were the ones producing the cocoa on which the economy of Nigeria rested before the advent of crude oil.

    I believe it was through the pressure led by Mike Akhigbe that a citizen of our state eventual became Secretary to Government. Mike Akhigbe became not only a champion of Ondo State rights, but also a patron of the state. He was more emotional about the state not getting its due than even those of us who came from the state. I remember him leading us to a meeting with the then Minister of Agriculture, Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Brig. Oni who is from Ekiti, was in this informal meeting in Gen. Akinrinade’s house somewhere in Ikoyi and one of the things that Mike Akhigbe wanted us to argue with the General was the abolition of the Cocoa Marketing Board. This was a carry-over from the old Western Region when the marketing board was created to stabilise price of cocoa in the local market. The marketing board usually bought cocoa from the farming community and their agents, then sold this in the world market at price usually higher than what was paid locally, and kept the excess. These excess was used to cushion the price of cocoa whenever it went down in the world market so that local farmers were not affected by any sudden deep depression of prices. The result of this process was that farmers never really got what was due to them and sometimes up to 60 percent went to the marketing board. So in order for the farmers to enjoy the fruit of their labour, we wanted the Cocoa Marketing Board abolished. The other side of the coin was that abolition could create instability of prices for the local farmers. Mike’s opinion was that the farmers should hold their destiny in their own hands. To cut a long story short, through the force of character and arguments, Mike Akhigbe led us to prevail on government to abolish the cocoa marketing board and this immediately led to increase in cocoa production because farmers got what they deserved. This was vintage Akhigbe. He was never afraid of anybody and even as a military man, he never followed orders blindly, he always spoke his mind and he surely must have gotten into trouble because of his forthright character. He was a great friend of mine. I never socialised with him, but he related with me as a gentleman and as an officer and as a great friend. When he came to Lagos as Governor, he asked me if I would want to serve in the Governing Council of Lagos State University as a member and he appointed me to that council and I remember that one great thing that council did was the appointment of the late Prof. Jadesola Akande as the second female Vice-Chancellor in the country, second to Prof. Alele Williams in the University of Benin. I believed I played a pivotal role in Prof. Jadesola Akande’s appointment and I am proud of it.

    I continued to maintain contact with Mike Akhigbe when I was Ambassador in Germany and when he rose to the pinnacle of his profession as Chief of Naval Staff. He subsequently became the Number Two man after Abacha died, and I believe he assisted Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar in transiting from Military dictatorship to democratic governance in 1999. Mike Akhigbe was a great man in many respects. Some would regard him as brash and hot-tempered but he received as much as he gave, and whenever he spoke, he spoke the truth. He did not throw his weight around as others would have done. I remember him complaining to me about a colleague who was disrespectful to his wife, who was one of our graduate students in the University of Lagos. If he had wanted, he could have used his position to make my colleague uncomfortable, but he never did, he merely complained to me. He himself at a particular time was a student of the University of Lagos and he studied Law and graduated as a lawyer while his wife graduated with a PhD in Education. This must have given him tremendous joy because I believe that if he had had the opportunity as a child, he himself would have gone into academia rather than the military and I believe he had the temperament, the ability, the grey matter to excel in any field of human endeavour. He would be surely and sorely missed both at home and in the Nigerian society. My heart goes to his wife and children and I pray that they know that anybody who lives in the hearts of others cannot die. So it is with Mike Akhigbe. Adieu.