Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo
By Our Correspondents
Nigerians from all walks of life Thursday continued to pay tributes to the family of late former Vice President, Admiral Akhabue Augustus Aikhomu (rtd.), who passed away in Lagos, after a prolonged illness, said to be cancer of the prostrate, at the age of 73.
Following his passage Thursday, encomiums continued to pour in from eminent Nigerians from all walks of life, including those who visited his No. 6, Forcados residence, Apapa, Lagos.
A Great Loss, Says Obasanjo
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday described the death of Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd.) as a great loss to the nation.
Speaking with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, while on his way to Jalingo, Taraba State, Obasanjo said Aikhomu died when his great wealth of experience would still have been very vital to the country.
“It is great loss to Nigeria that our former number two man in this country died comparatively still young when his experience would have been still vital to the service of the country. My condolence goes to his family and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” he said.
Describing Aikhomu’s personality, he said: “He served his country with dedication and faith.”
Senate: One of Nigeria’s Finest Officers
The Senate yesterday described as sad and shocking news of the death of Aikhomu.
In separate condolence messages sent to the Aikhomu family, Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, described him as one of the nation’s finest officers and statesmen.
“His death is a personal loss to me. I worked very closely with him and found him an accomplished officer and gentleman, who was loyal and dedicated to his nation. He was a man of high moral standing,” Mark said.
Mark further described him as, “a leading light and among the first set of officers in Africa that brought pride and honour to the continent because of his exploits and successes abroad.”
In his own message, Ekweremadu described the late Aikhomu as “a perfect gentleman and patriot who gave his very best to Nigeria, and his death marked the exit of one of the nation’s finest military professionals and statesmen.”
He said: “The Former Chief of General Staff will forever be remembered for his selfless service, unblemished professional and public life, and belief in one prosperous and indivisible Nigeria which he also worked tirelessly for.
“His wealth of experience, knowledge, and elderly counsel will be seriously missed, especially coming at a time the nation needed them the most to strengthen the roots of democracy and quicken the pace of national development.”
He was a Nation-builder, Says Abubakar
Former President, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, said Aikhomu contributed a great deal to the development of the country.
According to him, “it is undisputable that Aikhomu has impacted a great deal to the society and I pray that the good Lord would grant the family the fortitude to bear their loss.”
Shonekan: A National Hero
Former Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan, before leaving his compound told newsmen that the late Aikhomu would be remembered for “his contributions to keeping the nation together especially during the 1993 era.”
‘A Painful Departure’
Former Chief of General Staff during Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, Commodore Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.), described Aikhomu’s departure as painful, adding that the nation has lost one of her finest generals.
He wrote on the condolence register that: “Your departure is painful, only the Almighty God will understand. May he accept you in his kingdom.”
An Illustrious Son, Says Anyaoku
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, yesterday said: “In the death of Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, the nation has lost an illustrious and faithful servant.”
He said: “His service, as the number two in our military government, was a remarkable example of patriotism and commitment to our country,” adding that: “It was Admiral Aikhomu who led the Nigerian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 1989 at which I was elected Commonwealth Secretary-General.
I remember vividly the great joy he expressed when his compatriot defeated a former Australian Prime Minister in the competition for the post. May the Almighty comfort his family and grant our prayer that his soul will rest in perfect peace.”
A Great Treasure, Says Fashola
While eulogising the deceased, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), said he was a great treasure for the country and as such, the whole country would mourn him.
Fashola said Aikhomu was a father and friend, who left an example of worthy leadership for all to emulate.
“For me, late Aikhomu has become like a personal friend. I will miss him personally in my official capacity.
He has become my friend and counsellor. He calls me from time to time to inspire and to encourage me on what he thinks this government is doing progressively and to recommend ways where we could be stronger.
“This brings us to the reality that we will all return to whom we came from. This is the final call in the contract of our mortality. We will miss him. We condole with the family, mummy and the children and urge them to remain strong and prayerful,” he stated.
Amosun: It’s a Huge Joke
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday described the passage of the former military Vice President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, as a huge joke
In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakam, said the death of the former military top-brass was a huge shock and a big loss to the country and the nation’s military, as his valued advice would be sorely missed.
“God is the father of the fatherless and He will surely stand by you and see you through this moment of grief,” the governor said.
The governor also sympathised with Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, saying, “this loss is coming at a time when my brother needs all the advice he can get to uplift Edo State.”
Irabor: Loyal to Nigeria
Also speaking, former House of Representatives member, and former Chief Press Secretaries to the late Aikhomu, Hon Nduka Irabor, said two significant memories remained with him concerning his former boss.
According to Irabor, “Aikhomu was first very loyal to Gen. Babangida” and was also, “fiercely loyal to Nigeria.” He explained that the late Aikhomu was always genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of Nigeria, and that the state of the country was often his first consideration whenever there was a conflict.
Etiebet: A Great Soldier
In his reaction, former National Chairman of the All Nigeria Progressive Party (ANPP), Mr. Don Etiebet, said: “Aikhomu was a great soldier and a great Nigerian who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.”
He noted that the nation would: “Miss his great advice. He was a brother to me and while he served in the capacity of chairman, ANPP’s board of trustees, I was the chairman of the party. He was a man of great principles who dedicated all his life to the service of his country in a most patriotic and selfless way unrivalled in our society.”
‘Loyal, Dedicated Individual’
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Akin Aduwo, described the deceased as a loyal, dedicated individual.
According to him: “Our relationships were that close in that he was chief of personnel when I was appointed naval chief.”
He said their relationship soon rubbed off on their wives as they both served together as nursing officers in the navy.
Aduwo noted that the deceased’s passage was a huge loss to the navy and the entire nation in general.
Anenih Weeps Like a Baby
Elderly statesman and former Chairman, People Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Anthony Anenih, wept like a baby at the deceased’s residence.
Attempts to get him talk were declined as he was obviously overcome by his emotions.
However, Anenih wrote in the condolence register that: “This is not the time to face the camera and make comments, you can see that we are mourning. Brother may your soul rest in peace.”
‘A Dependable Ally’
Former minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, said: “You were a good friend, a good friend and a dependable ally. I have fond memories of the good times we had together. You have played your part well and left indelible legacies on the sands of time.”
‘A Detribalised Nigerian’
Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have described the death of the former Military Vice President of Nigeria, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) as a huge loss to the nation.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, described Aikhomu as a statesman whose critical roles as Military Vice President between 1986 to 1993 contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of Nigeria.
The statement, said the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and the Party’s National Working Committee deeply expressed over Aikhomu whose years of committed service to the Nigerian Navy and the nation is a lesson in patriotism. PDP further prayed Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort his family, the Government and people of Edo State as well as the nation.
ANPP: An Uncommon Statesman
Similarly, leadership of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday described Aikhomu as a unique figure in Nigeria’s politics.
In a statement signed by the ANPP’s National Chairman, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the party described Aikhomu as an uncommon statesman who has made laudable contributions to the development of the country.
“It is with pain in our hearts that we received the news of the death of the former Chairman of our great party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), His Excellency, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd).
“He was an uncommon statesman who made important contributions to the development of our beloved country. During his tenure as Chairman of our Board of Trustees, he was a stabilising instrument in the challenge of making our Party a vessel of positive change for the ultimate benefit of society. Indeed, he was a consensus builder. We urge you to find solace in the knowledge that the noble deeds of priceless mortals like him live on in the womb of time,” Onu said.
‘Demystified Public Office’
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Aikhomu’s contributions to the stability of the country cannot be forgotten so soon.
“The late Aikhomu had demystified public office to a point public office was no longer feared or considered a no-go area for the citizens in a strictly military environment. He was accessible to almost all Nigerians while he was in office,” Atiku said.
Akhigbe: He was a Mentor
Former military Vice President, Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, in a condolence message said: “He has been a mentor to my life and to later generation of younger officers who served under him.”
According to him, Aikhomu’s “concern for the welfare and professional grooming of his subordinates, as well as the professional development of the Nigerian Navy were unparalleled.”
He added that, “under his watch, the Navy restructured to accommodate modern technology and acquisition of modern naval asset. He was a man who served his country well. In government as the Vice President of Nigeria, we who were privileged to serve under him, found him a very loyal officer both to his superiors and to his subordinates, because he instilled loyalty and discipline in us and management of state affairs. We the governors fondly referred to him as the headmaster.”
Okiro: Great Nigerian
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, said himself and his family were deeply moved by the death of Admiral Aikhomu and condole with his family and Nigeria “over the loss of this great Nigerian.”
Okiro said: “We will miss his advice, experience, and wisdom at this period of transformation in a democratic dispensation.”
‘Ijaws ‘ll Miss Him’
National Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), Mr. Joseph Evah, said it was sad that Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) had to die now, given the fact that his wealth of experience would have been most valuable to the country now.
According to him, “we mourn him today because he was our son and it was during his time that some states were created. As a full bloodied Ijaw son, he would continually be remembered as a man who strived to ensure that the Niger Delta regained its lost glory.
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