If I see Obasanjo, I’ll embrace him – IBB (Back to his senses)

Posted by admin Latest Politics Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, yeterday, doused the tension generated by his recent verbal war with former president Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he would not hesitate to embrace him whenever they meet.
Babangida exchanged greetings with aviation correspondents on his way to Minna after he had paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Chief of General Staff (CGS), Admiral Augustus Aikhomu in Lagos.

Having dodged the question when he arrived earlier in the day, journalists threw the question at him again. He was asked: “What will you do if Obasanjo appears at the presidential lounge while your are here. He replied: “If I see him, I’ll embrace him.”
He was in high spirit and said the visit to Aikhomu was good, and called for his immortalisation. “I came with members of my family. Aikhomu was a good friend of mine. He was someone I could trust, he said.

He also described him as one of the pillars of his administration, who always kept his cool when others ventilated their emotions at the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) meetings.
“I and Aikhomu were both serving chiefs. I was the head of the armed forces while he headed the navy and I got to know him very well and he knew me too so well. It was easy working with him because I trusted him. So, I dedicated a lot of state matters to him because he can do it. If Aikhomu is there, I can always go to sleep or play golf. We must know how to build good relationships between those in power and not allow people to carry rumours of your subordinates not wanting you there, want to take over your job. This opens up an avenue to feud. If anybody had come and told me that, I would not listen to such person because I am confident and we knew what we were doing,” he said.

Babangida described him as one of the finest patriots the nation ever had. He added that Aikhomu remained committed to the development of the country, praying God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the great loss.“I think Nigeria has lost one of its finest patriots and I’ve lost a good friend for that matter and Aikhomu truly represents a person that can be described as a Nigerian. I pray that God will give members of his family the courage to bear the loss. Nigeria has really lost one of its finest men. He remained very, very committed, he has been a good friend and he was a pillar in the administration and normally, when we are deliberating, he usually talked last as the vice president. We allowed the hot and the cool heads, but later on, when he comes, you will hear the voice of wisdom,” he stated.

Babangida further said the country should immortalise the late vice president because of his immense contributions to country. The former president lamented the demise of his former vice president explaining that Nigeria had lost one of her finest officers who had served the country diligently.“The former chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye also extolled the qualities of the late naval chief, explaining that his achievement in the navy was huge and could not easily be forgotten.

Admiral Adekeye who spoke with Daily Sun in Lagos said the navy would always remember the former chief of general staff as the person who opened up the force and expanded it in the Niger Delta area.
“He was a great sailor, mentor and great admiral. He was very blunt and the only problem he had was that he was very blunt. I found him very warm and friendly, especially when I was chief of naval staff, there were some critical periods when he had advised on what to do and his advice was far reaching and of great value to my command.

“He was a great man; he was not proud and always ready to admit anybody into his presence. His legacies in the navy were immense and cannot be forgotten. As young officers we discovered that he gives us the confidence when at sea. He was the officer that opened the Delta Port. Prior to this time, navy was just located in one small area in Port Harcourt and Calabar. I hope we produce another admiral like him in the force.”
Similarly, the Governor of Adamawa State, Vice Admiral Muritala Nyako lamented the demise of the former admiral explaining that his legacies would not be forgotten with the force.

The good words for the late Admiral Aikhomu came just as Daily Sun gathered that the former chief of naval staff would be buried in his home town Irrua in Edo State on the September 16. Unconfirmed reports said services of songs would kick start the funeral ceremonies on September 14, while military light transport plane, the G222 would be made available to transport mourners and well wishers. Daily Sun also learnt that the official family burial plans would be released today.

-Sunwp_posts