Aikhomu for burial today

Posted by admin Headlines Friday, September 16th, 2011

The late Military vice president and former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu on Wednesday commenced his journey to eternal rest with a Solemn farewell parade in his honour at the Benin Airport jointly mounted by a detachment of officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army.

The widow of the late vice president, Mrs. Rebecca Aikhomu, closely followed by other members of his family, walked behind the hearse bearing the body during the farewell parade.

The remains of Admiral Aikhomu arrived at the Benin Airport at exactly 1.20 pm aboard a Nigerian Air Force Hercules Plane with Registration No NAF 913 and was received by the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim and other top military and Police officers.

Among those who witnessed the ceremony at the airport were former Foreign Affairs minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Edo State governor, Chief lucky Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Okpere (retd), Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Prince Tony Omoaghe, family members and other associates of the late former military vice president.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, eulogies poured in for the former vice president, Augustus Aikhomu as senior citizens, top government functionaries and former service chiefs gathered to bid the former VP goodbye.
Beginning from Vice Admiral Akin Aduwo to Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, all past Chiefs of Naval Staff, gathered at the NNS Beecroft parade ground in a service of songs ceremony in honour of their fallen colleague.

Speaking during the ceremony, Admiral Aduwo told the stories of how he almost denied the former vice president his promotion for failing to complete an assignment on time. He said patience and loyalty were some of the virtues that the former vice president was blessed with, adding that “despite that I removed his name from the list of officers to be elevated from captains to commodores, he was calm and was doing his job normally until that day when he came to my office to submit the names to me to assent to and a signal issued for the promotion.

“He was looking to me that day as he dropped the list and as he turned back and was going out, he did not utter a word until he got to the door, then I called him back and said their was one omission and that name was Captain A.A Aikhomu. As I said that, his pen dropped from his hand as he continued to say thank you in ecstasy.”

Admiral Aduwo said some years later, he handed over to Admiral Aikhomu as the Chief of Naval Staff and he later rose to become vice president under President Ibrahim Babangida and “he made case for me to become the chairman of the Governing Board for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).”

Aduwo said when the first indigenous Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Akinwale Wey died and he was immediately followed by Admiral Soroh, “there was apprehension that death was now in succession for the former Chiefs of Naval Staff, I was apprehensive that may be after Admiral Adelanwa, whom I took over from, it will be my turn, but Adelanwa is still there and I am still here and Augustus broke the ranks and went first.”

Similarly, Admiral Alani Adelanwa eulogized the former vice president for his ability to open up the Nigerian Navy with the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Air Station, the NNS Delta and the NNS Pathfinder in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the acquiring of new platform by the force, particularly the NNS Aradu was to the credit of the former vice president, adding that the late Admiral Aikhomu did much for the force. Also, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim said efforts were on by the Nigerian Navy hierarchy to immortalize the late naval chief, adding that he was an accomplished sailor and a disciplinarian, who lived a fulfilled life.

At the end of the ceremony, the hearse bearing the body of the late former CGS, with the Nigeria Coat of Arms and four Stars depictiing his rank in the Navy later left Benin for Irrua in a motorcade where he would be interred today. The delegation of the Federal Government to the burial ceremony is expected to be led by the Vice President Namadi Sambo, just as dignitaries from all walks of life including former Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda are expected to grace the occassion.

Admiral Aikhomu, who died on August 17, 2011 had earlier been laid in state at the NNS Quorra parade ground with senior naval officers of the rank of Commodore (One Star generals) acting as the pall bearers.

-Sunwp_posts