Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed profound regrets on the death of the former Chief of General Staff and Vice Chairman of the defunct Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe.
Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the nation has lost a committed military officer who served his nation with utmost sense of responsibility and patriotism.
Fayemi stressed that Akhigbe’s contribution to the return and stability of democracy in Nigeria would not be forgotten in a hurry. He noted that Akhigbe served the old Ondo state of which Ekiti was part as military governor during which he executed projects that had impact on the lives of the people.
Akhigbe, A Courageous Leader – Uduaghan
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan also described the late Admiral Mike Akhigbe as a courageous leader who always spoke truth even in the face of daunting challenges and great risk to his life.
Uduaghan, in a statement by Felix Ofou, his press secretary also described the former number two citizen as a disciplinarian who lived a Spartan life and insisted that the interest of the masses must be considered before critical national decisions were taken.
Notwithstanding his military background, the governor applauded Akhigbe’s pro-people initiatives, resulting among others in his joining hands with General Abdulsalami Abubakar to return Nigeria to civilian democracy in May, 1999 as well as helping to nurture it.
Akhigbe An Exemplary Officer– Mimiko
Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko also spokr glowingly on the death of former Chief of General Staff and Military Administrator of Ondo and Lagos states in a statement where he stated that the late Akhigbe was an exemplary officer whose life even after retirement was worthy of emulation.
He added that the former Military Administrator of Ondo state was part of the developmental process of the state as he contributed his quota to its growth.
Mimiko regretted that his death is not just a great loss to his immediate family but also an irreparable loss to the nation, insisting that “with his wealth of experience, it was too early for him to leave at 68”.
Nigeria Will Miss Akhigbe’s Contributions To National Development- Ihedioha
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha has said that late Mike Akhigbe will surely leave a big vacuum in the political development of Nigeria.
He said the country will miss his wealth of knowledge, experience and statesmanship contributions to national development.
The deputy speaker mourned the death of the former number two citizen, saying the sad occurrence came at a time of sober national evaluation where the intellectual resources and contributions of all statesmen and senior citizens like the late Akhigbe would be immensely useful in moving the country forward.
Though saddened by the demise, he said people should brace up to the fact that death is an inevitable occurrence which can visit anyone without notice. He prayed God Almighty to grant the soul of the departed a warm reception into the bosom of the Lord and Saviour.
