Gov. Adams Oshiomhole has described the late Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, as a quintessential military officer who even as a military man recognised that power belonged to the people.
Oshiomhole said this on Friday at the laying in state of the late former Chief of General Staff in Government House, Benin.
He said the deceased and the then Head of State, Gen. Abdusallam Abubakar, repealed some obnoxious decrees made by the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
The governor said the repealed decrees made him eligible to contest the Nigeria Labour Congress election.
Oshiomhole also said the country witnessed the best election ever conducted in the history Nigeria during the tenure of the deceased.
He noted that Akhigbe would be remembered as a courageous military officer, who knew when to leave the stage and who also spoke and stood by the truth at all times.
Oshiomhole, who said all were sad by Akhigbe’s sudden death, added that death was inevitable to all mortals but as believers there was no need to cry and grumble.
He advised the children to exhibit these values inculcated in them by their father, who was always ready to render selfless service to the nation and humanity.
A requiem mass was held for the deceased at the Government House Chapel.
The Chaplain of the Edo Government House Chapel, Rev.Fr. Andrew Obinnya, stressed the need for people to always leave righteous life.
Meanwhile, the body of Akhigbe arrived at his country home Fugar, in Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo, amidst tears from sympathisers
Residents, including school children, market women, and commercial motorcyclists lined the streets of Fugar to catch a glimpse of the hearse conveying Akhighe’s casket.
The motorcade topped briefly at the Akhigbe family house where relations and sympathisers wept profusely.
The remains were taken to his private residence for lying in state and service of song.
Akhigbe died in New York on Oct. 28 at the age of 67 .
