BY OKEY NDIRIBE

ABUJA-Vice-President Namadi Sambo would lead the Federal Government’s delegation to the burial of former Chief of General Staff Admiral Augustus Aikhomu at Irrua next Friday.

This was announced Tuesday by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Senator Anyim Pius Anyim while addressing newsmen on a burial plan put together by the Federal Government for the funeral service and interment of the late Chief of General Staff .

Senator Anyim also announced that Aikhomu would get a state burial adding that the Edo State Government, Nigerian Navy , Air Force and Army would also participate in the burial programme.

The burial plan would begin tomorrow with a Service of Songs at NNS Beecroft Parade Ground, located at Naval Base, Apapa, Lagos. On Thursday, September 15, there would be a commendation service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina also in Lagos. The burial plan indicates that the corpse of the late CGS would depart Lagos for his home town Irrua later same day.

There would be lying-in- state, Christian wake keep and funeral service at Idumebo Irrua.

The funeral service would hold the following day at Saint David’s Church Irrua while interment would take place same day at the Admiral’s residence. There would be a reception immediately after the burial at Idumebo Primary School, Irrua. A thanksgiving and outing service would also hold the following day at the Anglican Church, Irrua.

The late Admiral Aikhomu was Chief of Genral Staff between 1986 and 1993 during the military dictatorship of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. He was the equivalent of the Vice-President during that regime.

As burial arrangements commence today for the late former vice president, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has extended his condolences to the widow and family of the late statesman.

Deputy Speaker mourns

In a letter to addressed to the widow, Ihedioha described Aikhomu’s death as “one loss that pulls a huge pall over the political firmament of Nigeria, especially coming at a time when his wellspring of knowledge, experience and statesmanship would have counted immensely in our continual quest in nation-building.”

The Deputy Speaker urged the family to take in the solace in the fact that Aikhomu’s death was a national loss because “Nigeria has indeed lost a great leader who co-piloted the ship of state through turbulent waters in the past.”