President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his sincere condolences to the wife, children and relatives of the former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd), who passed away yesterday in the United States of America.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati on Tuesday read: “President Jonathan also commiserates with officers and men of the Nigerian Navy which Vice Admiral Akhigbe once led as Chief of Naval Staff, as well as the government and people of his home state, Edo on the passage of the very courageous officer who patriotically served his nation to the best of his God-given abilities through-out a most distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The President joins Vice Admiral Akhigbe’s family, colleagues and subordinates in the Nigerian Navy, friends, associates and all who knew him in mourning the former Chief of General Staff”.
The president said while the former military vice president may have left the world of the living, he believes that Mr. Akhigbe will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of all whose lives he touched positively during the course of his distinguished career of national service in military commands and in the political offices he held as a military officer.
“The President believes that Vice Admiral Akhigbe will be especially remembered and honoured by present and future generations for serving with distinction as military governor of Lagos and Ondo States, and as Chief of General Staff in the military administration that mid-wifed the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria and began the commendable re-professionalization of the Nigerian Armed Forces after decades of involvement in politics” the statement said.
President Jonathan prayed God Almighty to comfort all who mourn Vice Admiral Akhigbe and grant his soul eternal rest.
