Since the shocking news of the death of my professional colleague, friend and brother, Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe on the 28th October, 2013, words have failed me to convey my heartfelt condolence to his wonderful family and the nation for such a painful loss. Even when we realize that death is the ultimate end for all creations, its emanation often leaves us
with a painful pang and a deep sense of nostalgia. It hurts me very pointedly to know that Nigeria has lost such a brilliant gentleman officer, passionately committed to the unity of our dear country and incurably optimistic about its vision and future. Okhai was not only down-to-earth on anything he laid his hands on; he was an extra-ordinary officer amongst his compatriots in course 3, some of whom
I had the rare privilege of working with both as an officer of the Nigerian Army and later as Military President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Members of Course 3 have no doubt become the unique selling point of what the military institution preaches; unity of purpose. The officers that fall into that category are not only gentlemen officers to whom I remain grateful but individuals who have shown the
character and content of what military training is all about.
Okhai will be sorely missed, not only by the Nigerian Military but by every Nigerian who understands and appreciates the capacity of the human intellect to contend with situations. Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe represents one of the intellectual dimensions of the Nigerian Military and typical of his calling and training, he brought finesse and class to bear throughout his service years. Members of his Course 3 preciously refer to him as NNS FEARLESS judging by his indubitably sense of courage, fearlessness, boldness and matter-of-fact disposition to issues. In spite of his training as a gentleman officer, who understood military doctrines of obeying rules before offering any complaint, he was not one to kowtow to instructions without inquisition. Once convinced about the motive of an action, one could be rest assured of his total loyalty and commitment to the cause without looking back.
These and some others were the qualities he brought to bear when I had the rare opportunity to appoint him as Military Administrator to Ondo and Lagos States during our administration’s intervention in the politico-economy of Nigeria. On one of such occasions, he had approached me to express his reservations about some skirmishes between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Lagos State Ministry of Works over who should own the Third Mainland Bridge project, aware that our government was determined to complete the project. As soon as he got clarification from me, he asked what later became his usual end note; “was that my Commander-in-Chief giving orders or My President? And to which I answered;
“both”. Once that assurance is given, one can be sure that the instruction would be carried through. That was vintage Okhai.
There are too many anecdotes to recall about Mike Okhai Akhigbe, which I would have loved to share with our fellow Country men and women, but my mood even as I write this, is
forlorn. Suffice it to say that Okhai was a great man, a unique Naval Officer, a distinguished Nigerian, a pan-Nigerian statesman, who breathed rare intellect throughout his sojourn on earth. To further push his intellectual depth to Olympian height, he enrolled as an undergraduate Law Student and graduated with flying colours, called to the Nigerian Bar and practiced law until his final breath on mother earth. Okhai was not one to shy away from any intellectual discourse. He would always insist that Nigeria must be great and that we would
have no excuse to fail. History was always his reference. His passion for the unity of Nigeria and his crave to sustain sound political leadership in post-military era Nigeria fired him to join active politics under the Peoples Democratic Party. When he opted to contest the presidential election in 2006, he visited me in my Minna home to formally inform me and sought to know what direction I was headed. He complained about the muscling of the democratic space and wondered why things should deteriorate to the level they were at that
time. In spite of all his reservations, he still showed an uncommon sense of patriotism and commitment to the democratic process. He was easily provoked on issues of injustices in the system. And for a man who supported my brother and colleague General Abdulsalami Abubakar to return the country to democratic rule, his fears and complaints at that time were eternally genuine.
I find it difficult to say goodbye to Okhai. No! Admiral Akhigbe may not be in our midst in the physical sense, but he will continue to live on our minds. I may not be able to find the right words to convey my condolence to his lovely wife and children; I am emboldened by the fact that Okhai lived a fulfilled life which will serve as a tonic for his family and country. Adieu, Okhai Mike Akhigbe. May God Almighty grant him eternal rest in the hereafter. Amin.
GENERAL IBRAHIM BABANGIDA, GCFR.
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