BY Kingsley Omonobi, Simon Ebegbulem, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Henry Umoru, Austin Ogwuda, Wole Mosadomi, Babatunde Jimoh & Paul Odenyi
ABUJA—Former heads of state, serving governors and several eminent Nigerians have been paying glowing tributes to the former Vice President during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, Admiral August Aikhomu who died on Wednesday describing him as a great nationalist. Relations and sympathisers who besieged both his Lagos residence and country home in Edo State expressed grief and a great sense of loss at his death

When Vanguard arrived Idumebo community, Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government Council of Edo state, home town of the late Vice-President, it was obvious that a great man had fallen. Amidst the sudden calmness that enveloped the Esan community, his elder brother, Sir Alfred Aikhomu, cried that his brother had the premonition of his death when he told him three days ago in Lagos that he should take care of their property.

The Onojie of Irrua, (traditional ruler) Alhaji Williams Momodu, while receiving sympathizers at his palace yesterday, described the news of his death as shocking to the people of the area, adding that he would be missed both by friends and enemies due to the developmental projects he brought to the people of the area.

At his country home in Idumebo, apart from a police officer and a boy who identified himself as Joseph, no member of the family was in the compound though a condolence register was opened in the compound. However, when Vanguard arrived the deceased elder’s brother house, scores of sympathizers thronged the compound weeping. Sir Alfred who was in pensive mood with other family members told Vanguard that the situation looks like a dream to him.

His words: “His death is very painful to us, I don’t know how else to describe it. I saw him about seven days ago when he came back from London, he stopped in Lagos and after few days he flew back to London and came back this time before his death.

“He told me to take care of the family. I am the eldest now in the family. He made some statements which shows that he knew he was going to die. He was telling me to take care of our land and property. It was after his death that I knew that he was actually passing a message to me” he regretted.

Asked how the late Admiral grew up in the family, Sir Alfred said, “our father was a poor man. We are very many at home. We grew up going to farm cocoa yam, yams, closing from school, going back to the farm to eat. That time I treated Admiral as a boy, when we shared work in the farm, we will give him a little one. My mother had two of us. The other woman had six for our father. The truth about us is that we don’t take nonsense in our family and very strict.

“His joining the navy was God’s work. There were several options for him then but he just decided to join the navy because he liked the uniform. He loved being a uniform man. We have three or four of our children in the military today because we don’t believe that anybody can die because you joined the military. My brother is just

a different kind of person and it would be difficult to have a person like him in Nigeria and Esan land. He is irreplaceable” he said.

On his part, the Ogiirua of Irrua, described the death as a great loss to the nation and Esanland in particular. According to him, “He was a good citizen of the Kingdom. We will continue to remember him in this community as a good citizen. He brought so many things to us such as the Irrua Specialist hospital, even the police headquarters her, so many things. We were classmates, we stayed in this same village here growing up. However for some time now, we have not spoken but I came to know that he was ill in London. I was shocked that they now brought the news this morning to me.

Former Head of State, Geneneral Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos were among early callers on Thursday, to pay condolence visit to the bereaved family at their Apapa , Lagos residence.

General Ibrahim Babangida

“I am dumbfounded with the news coming on a day when I am celebrating my 7Oth birthday.

I have lost a trusted, loyal and extremely reliable friend and a brother in Augustus Aikhomu. I enjoyed all my years of very warm and close relationship with him. He was a professional colleague who understood where we were headed as government and went out of his way to ensure, we achieved our set goals and objectives. I will miss him, Nigeria will miss him, Africa will miss him. This officer and a gentleman, who worked through thick and thin during our trying period as a country to create a roadmap for the nation. A patriot of unflinching loyalty and a confidante of immeasurable depth’’.

Olusegun Obasanjo

“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. He served his country with dedication and faith. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Abdulsalam in his remarks on the register said the late Aikhomu paid his dues, just as he prayed for the repose of his soul. “May the Admiral rest in peace. We will certainly miss your counsel. May you have perfect resting place”

Chief Emeka Anyaoku

Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku in his reactions said “in the death of Admiral Augustus Aikhomu the nation has lost an illustrious and faithful servant. His service as the number two in our military government was a remarkable example of patriotism and commitment to our country. It was Admiral Aikhomu who led the Nigerian delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kualalumpur 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”.

Admiral Mike Akhigbe

In his reaction, former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe said he has lost a mentor and friend. “My wife and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing away of Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu. He was a mentor to me as he was to many officers who came under his charge. He was a professional officer who cared about the grooming of officers and men under his control. For those who were lucky to serve with him in government he was a great leader, who was both loyal to his superiors and subordinates. He guided us through our political assignments, in the most difficult time. One would have wished he lived long enough to put his experience at the disposal of the present administration. But God knows best. We wish members of his family the heart to bear the irreparable loss”

Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim

“Admiral Aikhomu was an embodiment of professionalism and fine ideas as he was one of the few Chiefs of the Naval Staff that served within the period the Nigerian Navy could call the golden era. More ships came into the fleet and the golden era demanded that new bases be established to support the ships. It is on record that he was instrumental to the establishment of the Nigerian Naval Ship DELTA in Warri, the Nigerian Navy Engineering College in Sapele as well as the Naval Air Station in Navy Town , Ojo, Lagos. So, most of the things you see in the Navy today, the Admiral was one of the architects.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Admiral Augustus Aikhomu was an embodiment of humility, his death means another great loss to Nigeria, considering the roles in played in nation building when he served the country.

His contributions to the stability of the country cannot be forgotten so soon, he was a detribalized gentleman who combined that with humility and joviality. He was accessible to almost all Nigerians while he was in office. The late Aikhomu had demystified public office to a point public office was no long feared or considered a no-go area for the citizens in a strictly military environment.”

Senate President David Mark

Aikhomu was a distinguished officer who exhibited a high sense of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to the indivisibility of the nation. 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. He was 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. He was one of the patriotic officers who laid the foundation for today’s Armed Forces of Nigeria which had become the pride of all. Aikhomu was a politician, preached peace and non-violent electioneering, and eschewed rancour and bitterness in its entire ramification.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan

He died at a time when the country needs wise and elderly counsel to forge ahead in unity and love. Aikhomu was not only dedicated, diligent and faithful to his professional calling (the Armed forces) but to the country which he served at the topmost level. As a politician, Admiral Aikhomu was a moderator whose mien distanced him from the extremists fold. He was a peace maker that would be missed by all

Governor Babatunde Fashola

“For me, he has become like a personal friend. I will miss him personally in my official capacity. He has become my friend and counselor. 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. God will make light whatever burden the family has to bear and make the Aikhomu house a home of happiness and joy after.

Chief Tony Anenih

“Brother may your soul rest in peace”.

Chief Ernest Shonekan

The late Aikhomu will be remembered for “his contributions to keep the nation together especially during the 1993 era”.

Chief Tom Ikimi

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”.

Commodore Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe

Your departure is painful, only the Almighty God will understand. May he accept you in his kingdom”.

Chief Don Etiebet

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”.

Governor Babangida Aliyu

Admiral Aikhomu died at a time when the guidance and advice of our great leaders are needed to help steer the ship of state. His death is a big blow, but we are comforted that the great values he left behind will serve as guiding light not only to his former colleagues in the Military but to the entire nation. Aikhomu was a loyal and dedicated deputy who supported former President Ibrahim Babangida in the re-engineering of Nigeria with resultant legacies in all sectors of the economy.

Other personalities who registered their presence at the late general’s residence include; Vice Admiral Patrick Koshoni, former Nigerian Naval Officers, Admiral Alison Madueke, , Jubril Ayila, James Akinwale, amongst others.